No plans to surge COVID test Stoke-on-Trent schools

As surge COVID testing comes to an end in schools across Newcastle - we're told Stoke-on-Trent won't follow suit.

Over the last few weeks, outbreaks in neighbouring Leek and Newcastle has seen around 20,000 pupils and staff from dozens of schools PCR tested to find out further COVID-19 cases, isolate them and their contacts, and prevent any further spread of the virus.

Council leaders at Stoke-on-Trent City Council tell us there are no plans to roll-out the same mass PCR testing model, despite the city's schools being hit with a number of positive cases.

Ormiston Horizon Academy in Chell is the latest school to be affected, with Year 7 and Year 10 groups currently isolating at home.

"There is no evidence that schools are causing outbreaks" said Abi Brown, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

"Instead they are reflecting the transmission that we are seeing in the community as we are seeing random cases in class bubbles, rather than class bubble outbreaks."

"I think we feel particularly as we edge towards the end of term, that surge testing wouldn't necessarily bring us any benefit."

"We continue to encourage pupils, students and teachers at all schools to get regular lateral flow tests several times a week. My position as leader at the City Council has been lobbying the government as well, in terms of the approach they take around isolation of those who test positive, we will see significant numbers of pupils who are having to isolate with very little evidence that actually they're testing positive, but of course, it's affecting their education.

"We would really strongly encourage the government to review how they isolate pupils, particularly as we go into the next term."

The seven-day rate of coronavirus cases in the city is now 152.5 per 100,000 people, for the week 18 June - 24 June 2021.

There continues to be a significant increase of cases in the city, currently at an increase of 81% on the previous seven days. The percentage of people who have had a test and tested positive is 3.7 per cent.

Cases have increased by more than 80%

Cases are widespread across the city but hotspot areas are Hanley Park and Shelton.

"As expected, our cases have rapidly increased this week and these numbers again reinforce the need for us to continue to be vigilant and follow the public health guidance to stop COVID-19 from spreading further. The good news is that hospital admissions are low, showing that the vaccine roll out is doing its job."

Some key points on Stoke-on-Trent's case rates

• Transmission is spread across the city – there is no focal point as to where rising cases are coming from, but the central area of the city generally has some of the highest case rates, the lowest uptakes of testing and lower than average uptake of vaccination.

• The cases rates mean the city is currently third out of 14 authority areas in the West Midlands, behind Birmingham (165.5 per 100,000) and Solihull (159.4 per 100,000). Staffordshire Moorlands now have at 95 cases per 100,000 and Newcastle now have 97 cases per 100,000. This data is based on figures released on 28 June.

• Transmission is predominantly in the unvaccinated younger age groups which is then breaking through into schools and workplaces.

Abi Brown continued: "We currently do not believe that surge testing will bring any benefit, but we are continuing to work closely with schools to help them communicate with students and families to reinforce the importance of following the guidance, taking up vaccines when offered and testing twice a week.

"Our reflection here within the city is that a number of students are missing out from school time. It's been a really tricky 12 to 18 months, as an authority, it's very clear that we need to see a big improvement in education standards lately. It's a concern too, as so many students are missing school time as a result of the current regime around isolation.

"Our enhanced community testing model is also vital."

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• schools
• surge testing
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