Covid-19 case at Irthlingborough school

Public health guidance given stated that none of the school's community need to self isolate.

A member of Irthlingborough Junior School has tested positive for coronavirus.

Headteacher Nick Garley has confirmed the case and said as the person has not been in close contact with others, adding that guidance from officials has been that in this instance no other members of the school need to self-isolate.

In a statement to the Local Democracy Reporting Service Mr Garley said: “I can confirm that one member of our school community has tested positive. As I explained to parents in the letter I sent out yesterday: The advice from the Department for Education and Public Health England is that given the circumstances around this case, no children or staff have been in close contact with the individual who has tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19) and therefore no pupils or staff will be required to self-isolate.

“The school remains open for all pupils and your child should continue to attend as normal if they remain well.

“The DfE has confirmed that our school protective measures and risk assessments are correct, appropriate and in line with all guidance issued to date and that we need to take no further steps.

“GDPR precludes us from giving out any information which could identify the individual concerned.”

There have been a number of cases of Covid-19 in Northamptonshire schools since the academic year started again in September and ten cases at the University of Northampton.

Montsaye Academy in Rothwell has confirmed its second case this week with a group of students having to self isolate.

A total of 41 Corby Technical School students are also self-isolating until Friday (October 16) after a Year 10 pupil tested positive.

In total there have been 6,089 positive tests across the county and 682 people have tragically died.

October 7 saw the first person to die with the virus at Kettering General Hospital since August 25 and local leaders are expecting a surge in cases, in line with the national trend.

The director of public health Lucy Wightman has asked residents to recognise the severity of the increase in local cases and adhere to social distancing practices.