'Small number' of Indian variant cases found at Newport school
A number of cases of the Indian Covid variant have been confirmed in Shropshire – including at a secondary school.
Shropshire Council has confirmed two cases within the authority area, while a 'small number' of cases have also been confirmed at Burton Borough School in Newport, in the Telford and Wrekin borough.
Telford & Wrekin Council and Public Health England said they are working 'closely' with the school in light of the development and have asked all families with children in the Newport area to get tested.
They added that all the positive cases are currently self-isolating and extended contact tracing is taking place to identify their contacts.
PHE has advised that, while the Covid-19 Indian variant is considered to be more transmissible, there is no firm evidence to show it has any greater impact on severity of disease or evades the vaccine.
Liz Noakes, director for public health in Telford and Wrekin, said: “The Government recently confirmed that 86 local authorities across the country have five or more cases of the Indian variant, which means this variant is quickly spreading.
“There is no evidence to show the Indian variant puts people at greater risk – however, it is considered to be more transmissible.
“Where we have identified the small outbreak of cases with one of the Indian variant in our borough, we are taking prompt action to minimise and contain further infection.
“As an extra precaution and to ensure it’s not further spreading, we are urging as a priority secondary-school aged children in Newport, staff at their schools and their extended families and support bubbles to get PCR tested, even if they show no symptoms and even if they have already been vaccinated.
“A “drop and collect “service is also being considered, where students from Newport’s secondary schools will be given PCR test kits by schools for the families to use – more information will be shared directly by the school to parents/carers .
“Families with primary-school aged children in Newport as well as all other Newport residents are also encouraged to get PCR tested as soon as they can.
“We are also strongly advising everyone who is eligible for the Covid-19 vaccination and who hasn’t had it yet, to book their appointment as soon as possible. There is a high degree of confidence that the current Covid-19 vaccines will protect against the Indian variant.
“We are aware that this news might cause concern. Our priority remains to keep all our communities, including our most vulnerable residents, safe.
“I also want to reassure parents and carers that schools remain safe all across the borough and children should continue to attend school as all Covid-19 safety measures are in place.
“Together, if we all do the right things – get tested as a precaution, get vaccinated when we are being offered the opportunity and follow the rules in place – we can control these outbreaks and safely keep track of the virus.”
The council said that they are asking a number of groups to get PCR Covid-19 tests even if they are not showing symptoms or the adults in the families have been vaccinated.
They include secondary-school aged children in Newport, staff at the schools and their extended families and support bubbles – from Burton Borough, Haberdashers Adams Grammar and Newport Girls’ High School Academy.
Families with primary-school aged children in Newport as well as all other residents in the town are also being encouraged to get PCR tested as soon as they can.
A testing centre will open in Newport from today at Shuker Playing Fields, Sports and Social Club, Barnmeadow Road, TF10 7TP.
It will be open from 11am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 3pm over the weekends.
People can drop in between the opening times – no appointments are needed, but there may be queues.
People can also book an appointment at other PCR testing sites across the borough on www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.
When completing the booking form, in the section “Why are you getting tested?”, people are asked to select the option “My local council or health protection team has asked me (or someone I live with) to get a test, even though I do not have symptoms.”
