A headteacher and seven pupils have tested positive for coronavirus at a primary school in Chippenham, it has been confirmed.
Queen’s Crescent School said the first confirmed case was the only case where the infected individual was contagious whilst at school and individuals that are considered to have been a close contact, as per Public Health guidance, have been informed and instructed to self-isolate for 14 days from when they were last in contact with them.
Head of School James Essam and Deputy Head Tom Mullins are both self-isolating alongside several other members of staff who are close contacts of confirmed cases. Cover has been arranged and the school will remain open as normal.
In total, since 25 October, nine cases relating to primary have been confirmed. One of these cases is a sibling of a pupil who attends the school.
“I personally began to feel unwell on Friday 30 October and although I had no cough or temperature, I completely lost my sense of smell and taste”, Mr Essam commented.
Adding: “I booked myself in for a test on Saturday 31 October and my results returned positive this morning. I have been instructed to self-isolate for 10 days from the onset of symptoms so will therefore return to work on Tuesday 10 November.
“Mr Mullins is also currently self-isolating as he was deemed a close contact of the original confirmed case at school.
“Over the half term break, we have been carefully reviewing our risk assessment and adjusting the
measures in place to reduce the risk of transmission.”
