Waterlooville and Swanmore schools confirm Covid-19 cases

Woodcroft Primary School in Waterlooville and Swanmore Primary School in Swanmore both have one case of Covid-19, headteachers have confirmed.

Both schools are set to remain open, with the individuals who tested positive now isolating.

Barry Fanning, headteacher at Woodcroft Primary, said a staff member contracted the virus.

He said: ‘We have had one confirmed case of Covid-19.

‘This individual is an adult who doesn’t work directly with the schoolchildren.

‘We have followed the advice from Public Health England to the letter – the person has gone into isolation and the school will remain open.’

At Swanmore Primary School, a letter has been sent to parents explaining the situation.

School staff say they are working closely with Public Health England to monitor how things develop.

The letter said: ‘There has been a confirmed case of Covid-19 within the school.

‘Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus will be a mild illness.

‘The small number of children who have been in direct prolonged contact with the confirmed case will have received an individual letter and will be staying at home for 14 days.

‘The school remains open and your child should continue to attend if they remain well.’

SEE ALSO: Teacher and class sent home to isolate after confirmed case of Covid-19 at Fareham College

The news comes as 45 new coronavirus cases were confirmed in the past 24 hours across Hampshire.

Since the outbreak of Covid-19, there have been 603 cases in Portsmouth, 405 cases in Havant and a total of 5,658 across Hampshire.

But across the country, people are facing delays in testing, which has sparked concern that a second spike could be on the cards, if people are unable to get tested promptly.

As reported, Portsmouth City Council's cabinet member for education, Cllr Suzy Horton, and health councillor Matthew Winnington said: ‘On week one when all schools are going back, which the government knew, we are falling at the first hurdle because we can't get the tests.’

Anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus, such as a continuous cough or change to their senses of smell and taste, can be tested.

These can be done at a test centre or with a home test kit, but if you have symptoms then you must stay at home.

Keep up to date with the latest coronavirus news in Portsmouth with our Coronavirus Updates Facebook group.

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