Two Devon community colleges to remains open after confirmed Covid-19 cases
Two community colleges in Devon have remained open following confirmed cases of coronavirus.
Collompton Community College has confirmed one case while Exmouth Community college has also confirmed that one of its teachers has tested positive.
Public Health England South West and Devon County Council are working together with the local health service to support the staff at Cullompton Community College.
Following advice from Public Health England, it is remaining open and pupils and staff are using a separate part of the school whilst cleaning is carried out in the affected areas.
The school is following the existing guidance, including social distancing and hygiene to limit spread.
Additional measures are in place while the case is being managed and investigated.
All staff and pupils who are deemed to have been close contacts of the confirmed case have been notified and advised to self-isolate for 14-days.
Chaamala Klinger, Consultant in Health Protection at Public Health England South West, said: “PHE South West is working closely with the school to provide public health advice to stop the virus spreading.
“After we’ve spoken to the school initially we email out an information pack to support them. Which includes further advice on infection prevention control and what to do if they need additional support.”
Meanwhile, a member of staff from Exmouth Community College (ECC) has also tested positive for coronavirus.
Earlier this month, reports stated that a student from ECC had tested positive for the virus.
Public Health England (PHE) was then contacted by ECC on 12 July by the member of staff who informed them of the positive test result.
Principal Andrew Davis has released a statement to parents and carers to inform them of the news.
In a letter he said: "The member of staff presented in College as asymptomatic and therefore, according to Public Health England, presents as a lower risk since they were not coughing or sneezing
"The member of staff concerned had taught our Key Worker and Priority children on Friday, July 10."
"However, they had not been in College since July 3, when they had also taught these children."
He continues: "The parents and carers of all the students they taught are currently being contacted to advise that they now need to go into isolation for 14 days and not return to College this week."
"The member of staff has also given us a list of colleagues with whom they had socially distanced conversations with during the day."