Posted on Monday 24th May 2021
Covid testing is to be carried out on bubbles in two school settings in the Lichfield district – after two adult members of a family tested positive for the Variant of Concern first identified in India.
They are both self-isolating with the rest of their household, who have also been tested.
The family has links with St Chad’s Primary and Highfields Primary and as a precaution children and staff in two bubbles will now be offered PCR tests, with any positive results being sent for genotyping.
St Chad’s will remain closed on Monday to allow all staff to have a PCR test and get their results. Home testing on the children in the bubbles will be carried out early next week. All affected families have been informed and there are no plans for wider testing at this stage.
Dr Richard Harling, Staffordshire County Council’s Director for Health and Care, said:
“We have all seen in the news how the cases of the variant appear to be on the rise, so it is not surprising that we are starting to see cases here in Staffordshire.
“With two cases identified in one family it is sensible to test all the pupils and staff all members of the household have come in contact with as a precaution, to help us rule out any more cases.
“NHS staff will be visiting the homes of the children in the two bubbles early next week to carry out the PCR tests and any positive cases will be sent to the labs for genotyping.
“Although this is very much a precautionary measure, it is a timely reminder that the virus is still with us and we all need to get tested twice weekly, get vaccinated when eligible and stick to the rules to help minimise the risk.”
All families in the bubbles affected have been contacted and there is no need for anyone else in the school or wider community to take any additional action.