Furious dad slams lack of Covid-19 tests

The step-father of a pupil at the centre of the partial closure of an Alford school due to Covid -19 concerns has slammed the Government for lack of testing availability.
Years 7 and 10 at the John Spendluffe Technology College in Alford were sent home due to Covid-19 concerns.Years 7 and 10 at the John Spendluffe Technology College in Alford were sent home due to Covid-19 concerns.
Years 7 and 10 at the John Spendluffe Technology College in Alford were sent home due to Covid-19 concerns.

The man, who prefers not to be named to protect his step-daughter - said she began showing 'severe Covid symptoms' on Monday afternoon, resulting in pupils in Years 7 and 10 at the John Spendluffe Technology College in Alford and who use the Hunts 7 bus being asked to stay home until they have been tested.

"We have had to have an ambulance attend our home twice due to my step-daughter's breathing issues and the only way we managed to get a test was for a member of the school staff to drive to ours and leave there's outside my house," he told us on Friday.

"The test was promptly done and sent off for the result on Thursday.

"We heard around 100 kids were sent home on Tuesday with high temperatures but the students without symptoms have been told they could return on Monday.

"However, my son who also attends the school has had to stay home and we have been told we need two clear tests before they can return..

"The nearest places we can get them are Hull and Peterborough, but the whole family is in lockdown over this so what do we do.

"The lack of testing,is unacceptable,given the fact the Government have said it's OK for schools to re-open and are safe.

"The reason Year 7 is closed too is because my son is in that group and both go to school on the Hunts 7 bus.

The man, whose family live near Skegness, says his step-daughter is having lots of soup and drinks, as well as antibiotics and and painkillers.

"We are hoping it's just a bad cold but until we can get test results we won't know.

"It's such a mess. We are so angry about the situation we are taking it up with our MP Matt Warman.."

* Since the dad first contacted us, he says the school has informed him they have received a negative Covid result for his step-daughter but she still has to stay at home seven days clear of symptoms. He said: "The school tell me my son can go back but what is the sense of that?"