Coronavirus cases in Dorset schools expected to be picked up by testing
Public Health Dorset say the twice weekly tests will help 'break the chains of transmission'
Dorset's public health bosses say they are aware of Covid cases since pupils returned to classrooms a week ago.
They say with twice weekly testing they can quickly identify those with the virus and break transmission chains.
Around 200 students in Year 10 at Budmouth Academy are currently self-isolating after testing confirmed cases at the school.
There's also been a single case at All Saints in Weymouth and St Mary's Primary in Wareham which have been picked up since schools return on the 8th March.
A spokesperson for Public Health Dorset told Greatest Hits Radio Dorset:
"We are aware of some confirmed cases of COVID-19 in schools across Dorset. Schools work closely with Public Health Dorset, Dorset Council and Public Health England South West to ensure that all necessary measures are being met.
"All close contacts of confirmed cases are notified and advised to self-isolate for 10 days. Contacts of confirmed cases should get tested if they go on to develop symptoms. Even if people test negative, they must still self-isolate for 10 days.
"With schools now taking part in lateral flow testing, we expect these tests to identify some asymptomatic cases. Identifying these cases and isolating contacts helps to break chains of transmission, protecting school pupils, staff and the wider community."