Children told to ‘stay home’ as another Sheffield school confirms positive Covid-19 case

Tapton School announced today that there has been a conformed case within its ‘school community’.

Children who have been in ‘direct prolonged contact with the confirmed case’ have been notified and have to remain at home until Tuesday, September 22.

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In a letter sent to parents and carers, the school said: “We have been advised by Public Health England that there has been a confirmed case of Covid-19 within our school community.

“We know that you may find this concerning but we are working closely with Public Health England and continually monitoring the situation.

“Please be assured that for most people, coronavirus (Covid-19) will be a mild illness.”

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It states that unless parents and carers have been advised by the school to keep their children at home, others should ‘continue to attend if they feel well’.

Joseph Locke Primary School in Barnsley has also announced a closure of one of its bubbles of students from today until Monday, September 28.

There are at least 20 other schools across South Yorkshire with confirmed Covid-19 cases.

Sheffield has most schools affected, with confirmed cases at Abbeyfield Primary Academy, Pitsmoor; King Edward VII School, Broomhill; Birkdale School, Broomhill; Chaucer School, Parson Cross; Hillsborough Primary School Hillsborough; Meersbrook Bank Primary School, Meersbrook; King Ecgbert School, Dore; Sheffield Springs Academy, Arbourthorne; Watercliffe Meadow Community Primary School, Shirecliffe; Parkwood E-ACT Academy, Shirecliffe; Birley Academy, Birley; Birley Spa Primary Academy, Birley and Outwood Academy City, Stradbroke.

There is one known case in Rotherham, involving a dinner lad at Bramley Sunnyside Junior School, Bramley.

In Barnsley, there are cases at Barugh Green Primary School, Athersley South Primary School, Wellgate Primary School, St Michaels and All Angels Primary School, St Helen’s Academy, Barnsley College and Outwood Primary Academy Littleworth Grange.

There is also a case at Doncaster Deaf Trust, Doncaster.

Sheffield was placed on the Government’s coronavirus watchlist last week as the number of confirmed cases in the city continues to rise.

It was added to the list as an ‘area of concern’ after previously requiring ‘enhanced support’ in July.

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