Bristol Council issues school Covid update as term ends
More than a thousand pupils have tested positive here in recent weeks
With schools breaking up for the summer term, Bristol City Council have released their latest covid figures within education.
They say there's been 1,130 confirmed cases amongst pupils since June 7 and more than 200 amongst staff.
In a statement the council says the impact of coronavirus on education has been "more hard hitting than we could have ever predicted".
“As we reach the end of the summer term here in Bristol, we wanted to say a huge thank you to all children, young people, parents, carers, and education staff for your patience and cooperation over the past school year," a joint statement from Bristol City Council Director for Education and Skills, Alison Hurley, and Councillor Helen Godwin, Cabinet member for Families, Education and Women, says.
“The impact of this global pandemic on not only education, but our entire lives, has been more hard-hitting than we could ever have predicted.
"Schools and settings have had to react quickly to positive cases of COVID-19, often resulting in large groups of pupils or classroom bubbles being sent home to contain the virus.
"I know this has caused disruption for parents, carers and, most importantly our children and young people.
"We are hugely appreciative of your understanding of the necessary closures and isolation periods.”
They add that case numbers in Bristol generally are extremely high at the moment, with the infection rate currently at 869.3 per 100,000 people.
"Thanks to the vaccination, fewer people are seriously ill in hospital, but there are increasing numbers," the statement continues.
"During this time, we encourage our families to respect one another, put empathy at the heart of your decision making, and continue to keep up with the behaviours you’ve adapted to over the past eighteen months.”
The council is continuing to recommend face masks be worn in indoor spaces like shops and public transport, while close contact with others should be avoided where possible.
From August 16, the bubble system will be removed from schools, meaning children under the age of 18 will not have to self isolate if they're identified as a close contact of someone who's tested positive.