At my school we've had Nursery and Reception isolating twice, Year 1 isolating once and Year 3 isolating once. 4 staff positives, 3 children, couple of siblings, and 5 parent positives - these are the ones we have been informed about. I know for an absolute fact that some parents have told us their child has been tested and it was negative but that the child was never tested. Kids have an uncanny way of letting you know the truth eventually. These were children who were symptomatic, who we placed in isolation and were told not to return until negative or after full isolation period.
I heard some tremendously sad news at the weekend from a colleague who teaches in Wythenshawe. One of their teachers tested positive and seems to have passed it to her 77yr old mother who died last weekend from Covid.
At the same school in April, two parents who were nursing staff died.
I myself was symptomatic last Thursday, isolated Friday and was tested, came back negative thankfully but I now have chest infection and am struggling to get up the stairs. Normally I'd battle through and be back in school but I'm extremely worried what would happen if I get Covid on top of this infection.
It would have a devastating effect on pupils if we shut the schools again, online learning is shite - there's no substitute for being in class with your peers being taught by your teacher.
But schools may be driving the numbers and subsequent deaths up. The infection rate amongst primary children appears to have plateaued at 1% but secondary pupils look particularly infectious.
As an aside, it would appear Manchester LA have been briefed that schools will close December 1st.
On verra...
inews.co.uk