Students asked to isolate as coronavirus case confirmed at Highcliffe School

A NUMBER of Highcliffe School students have been asked to self-isolate after it confirmed a positive Covid infection today (Friday).

In a letter sent to parents this afternoon, head teacher Patrick Earnshaw said a “member of our school community” had tested positive for Covid-19. The school, in Parkside, remained open, he added, and staff were monitoring the situation alongside Public Health England.

“Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus will be a mild illness,” he said in the letter.

“The small number of students who have been in close contact with the individual who has tested positive for coronavirus have received a letter informing them that their child must isolate at home for a defined period.

“The school remains open and your child should continue to attend as normal if they remain well.”

Guidelines in the letter said those pupils who develop symptoms of Covid-19 “must not come to school and should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared”.

Highcliffe is the sixth secondary school in the area to reported positive cases, after Arnewood, Priestlands, Ringwood, Applemore and Hounsdown confirmed infections.