A secondary school in Hove has reported another case of the coronavirus – and this time the student appears to have contracted the virus at school.
Cardinal Newman Catholic School has previously reported three cases which were all believed to have been linked to a house party in Hangleton.
A student at BHASVIC (Brighton, Hove And Sussex VI Form College) also appears to have contracted covid-19 at the same 18th birthday party.
Another three BHASVIC students have also now contracted the virus although not all of them appear to have been on the site, in Dyke Road, Hove, since the start of term.
Nine students at the sixth form college are understood to be in self-isolation.
Separately two members of staff at Newman are also in self-isolation after testing positive for the coronavirus.
Today (Monday 14 September) head teacher Claire Jarman wrote again to parents to let them know about the latest case at Newman College, the school’s sixth form centre.
She said: “I’m afraid it falls on me again to inform you that one of the direct contacts of a case in the sixth form college has now tested positive for covid-19.
“This case would appear to be related to the previous ones at the college.
“We have, of course, been in touch with Public Health England and Brighton and Hove education authority to inform them and, having tracked and traced this student’s classes, a further nine college students will need to self-isolate because of this.
“Any affected rooms not already covered by this weekend’s ‘fogging’ will be ‘fogged’ tonight.
“It is great to see that our attendance has remained steady despite these incidents and I thank parents and carers for continuing to put their trust in us.
“I also know from having had a chance to walk around the school and meet students on the gate this morning that the vast, vast majority of students are coming in happily, wearing their masks well and really enjoying great teaching.
“However, if any individual is feeling anxious, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s form tutor or PPL in the first instance.
“Once again though, thank you for all the messages of support.”
Brighton and Hove’s director of public health Alistair Health emailed councillors and other colleagues today and said: “I am writing to let you know there have been confirmed cases of covid-19 in students at BHASVIC.
“Three affected students attended a ‘welcome day’ at the college in their infectious period and the Public Health England South East Health Protection Team has assisted the principal with the risk assessment.
“At present, nine students have been identified that need to isolate for 14 days from date of last contact.
“There are also a small number of students who have tested positive but did not attend the college in their infectious period.
“The Health Protection Team has sent a guidance email to the college along with template letters for them to send out to identified contacts and all parents/staff.
“PHE and Brighton and Hove City Council’s comms teams are liaising with the college to support communication.”
