Coronavirus cases increase across Southampton schools
Parents and pupils are being urged to take regular rapid lateral flow tests
A spike of Coronavirus cases has been recorded across Southampton schools.
The number of cases identified in education settings in the city went from one in the week between June 7 – 13 to 51 in the following week.
The data released by Southampton City Council refer to all primary and secondary schools in the city as well as colleges, sixth forms and early years settings such as nurseries and childminders.
The authority said the weekly figure refers to the number of individual children, pupils and staff who have tested positive for Covid-19.
It comes as the Delta variant is now the dominant variant across the country.
Dr Debbie Chase, the director of Public Health at the city council, said: “Southampton’s school leaders and staff have worked incredibly hard over the past 15 months to limit the spread of COVID-19. Unfortunately the presence of a more transmissable variant, alongside easing of restrictions, has presented an additional challenge and we would expect to see rising case rates in the city begin to feed through into an increase in cases in education settings.”
It comes as the weekly rate of infection in the city is 112.9 x 100,000 population , higher than the South East rate of 72.5
Dr Chase added: “While we understand the concerns of parents and carers, we would reassure them that schools continue to work closely with the council and Public Health England so that they are prepared to help contain the spread of infection when a case in a school is confirmed, and they continue to have ongoing access to a range of support and advice to help them act quickly.”
She said parents and carers can help by following the guidance and taking part in regular symptom-free rapid testing.
Dr Chase added: “Attending school is important for young people’s academic and personal development and the council will continue to work with schools to ensure that all practical steps are being taken to keep their communities as safe as possible, while also limiting any further disruption to vital learning.”
Earlier this month Dr Chase also urged residents to get vaccinated as health bosses said vaccines are “the best protection we have” against the virus.