Gainsborough school remaining open despite four confirmed cases of Covid-19

Queen Elizabeth’s High School in Gainsborough has confirmed four of its Year 11 students have tested positive for coronavirus.

The school is set to remain open however a bubble of students have been asked to quarantine for 14 days.

David Alsopp, headteacher, said: “Four students in Year 11 have now tested positive for Covid-19 and we have been informed that several more are presenting with symptoms and awaiting tests.

"Having consulted both with the Lincolnshire Health Protection Team and Public Health England on Saturday and Sunday, we have concluded that the safest thing to do is to close the Year 11 bubble for 14 days from the date the last known case was in school, which was Thursday, September 17.

"Online work and support will continue to be provided by the teachers for the students during the times when they would normally have lessons in school.

“The safety of our staff and pupils is our top priority, and we have a range of measures in place to prevent the spread of the virus, including frequent handwashing and social distancing.

"As a result, the rest of the school remains open to all other pupils, although we will be monitoring the situation closely and keeping parents informed.”

Since the start of term at least 19 schools in Greater Lincolnshire had confirmed Covid-19 cases, including 15 in Lincolnshire, four in North East Lincolnshire and one in North Lincolnshire.Director of public health for Lincolnshire County Council professor Derek Ward said: “I expect this way of life over the winter, and into spring.

"It’s what we’re going to need to deal with until we get a proper vaccine that can be rolled out across the entire population.”

He said, however, that schools had access to a number of support services both at the county council and nationally if needed – with even more now being invested in the council’s team.

“We will support them around contact tracing to help them make sure that they isolate the children who are at risk, or only the children who are at higher risk, so they can continue their education.”

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