Confirmed coronavirus case at Verwood First School

A number of schools in Dorset have reported confirmed cases of COVID-19 including a single case at Verwood First School.

A year 4 pupil tested positive for the virus and all children in the same bubble have been told to stay at home and isolate for 10 days.

The rest of the school remains open for vulnerable children and those of critical workers.

Dorset Council says it is working closely with Public Health Dorset and all schools to safely manage any Coronavirus cases that occur. All schools, colleges and education settings are following Dorset Council, Department for Education and Public Health guidance.

Risk assessments have been carried out and hygiene measures are in place. Plans have been prepared to make sure any incidents are dealt with promptly and safely.

Sam Crowe, Director of Public Health for Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Councils said: “We are aware that a number of schools in Dorset have received confirmed cases of COVID-19. These schools are working closely with Public Health Dorset, Dorset Council and Public Health England South West to ensure that all necessary measures are being met.

“All close contacts of the confirmed cases have been notified and need to self-isolate for 10 days. Contacts of the confirmed cases should get tested if they go on to develop symptoms. Even if people test negative, they must still self-isolate for 10 days.”

The following schools have confirmed Coronavirus a case or cases:

Verwood First School – 18 January (Single case)

Pimperne Primary School in Pimperne – 18 January (Temporarily moved to remote learning)

St Mary & St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School – 17 January

Budmouth Academy – 17 January (Single case)

Wimborne First School – 16 January (Single case)

Wyke Regis Infant School – 16 January (Single case)

Wyvern Academy – 15 January (Single case)

Holy Trinity Primary School – 14 January (single case)

Archbishop Wake C of E Primary School in Blandford Forum – 14 January

Lytchett Minster School – 13 January (Single case)

Bere Regis Primary School – 11 January (Single case)

Mountjoy School in Beaminster – 7 January (Single case)

Shaftesbury School please – 6 January (Single case)

Radipole Primary School in Weymouth – 4 January (Single case)

Upton Junior School – 25th December (Single case)

Bincombe Valley Primary School in Weymouth – 22nd December (Single case)