School closed after staff member falls ill with ‘strongly suspected Covid-19’

A special needs school has closed for a deep clean after it was reported that a staff member has a “strongly suspected” case of coronavirus.

The headteacher, Joolz Scarlett of Manor Green School in Maidenhead said in a statement on Thursday, “We have a member of staff with a strongly suspected case of coronavirus.

“She has not been in school all week. Parents of children from the affected class will be contacted directly with further information.

“In conjunction with the local authority and governors we have made the decision to close the school tomorrow for cleaning as a precautionary measure.

“A decision regarding next week will be communicated tomorrow pending further advice from Public Health England.”

On Friday the school said, “The school will be closed on Monday so that we can start to determine potential student attendance and staffing levels and a decision about Tuesday will be made and shared as early as possible.”

The staff member who had not travelled and has not been in “known” contact with an infected person has been told that she will not be tested for the virus, despite showing all the symptoms.

Boris Johnson, the chief scientific advisor, Sir Patrick Vallance and Professor Chris Whitty who is the chief medical officer for England, have all said coronavirus will affect the vulnerable.

Despite this the staff member will not be tested and will self-isolate for 14 days, but after that can go back to work.

LondonLovesBusiness contacted Public Health England (PHE), Dr Alison Barnett, centre director for Public Health England South East said, “Public Health England is working with health colleagues and local authorities across the South East to support and advise around cases of COVID-19.

“Our priority is to urgently contact anyone that has been in close contact with a confirmed case. Close contacts will be given health advice about symptoms and emergency contact details to use if they become unwell in the 14 days after contact with the confirmed case/s.

“This tried and tested method will ensure we are able to minimise any risk to them and the wider public.

“Good hygiene is the best prevention and there are some simple steps you can take to protect you and your family by washing your hands regularly and thoroughly and if you cough, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue.”

“If you have recently been to one of the affected countries and are feeling unwell, you should use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service that can tell if you need medical help and advise you what to do https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 or ring NHS 111 – please don’t go to your doctor or a hospital.

The Department of Health has announced of 9am 13 March 2020, a total of 32,771 people have been tested: 31,973 negative.

In the UK the number of confirmed cases in one day has soared by 208 to a total of 798 positive cases, 11 people have died across the UK.

The former health secretary Jeremy Hunt has questioned Boris Johnson’s strategy in tackling the coronavirus and said it is “concerning.”

Hunt who is the chair of the House of Commons Health select committee questioned the decision not to cancel mass gatherings after Johnson said on Thursday that many more families would “lose loved ones before their time.”