Surge in Covid cases in West Sussex: Schools on alert
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And the rates are now among the highest Covid-19 rates in the country among young people.
That’s according to West Sussex director of public health Alison Challenger who sent out warning letters to all secondary school headteachers last week.
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Hide AdShe said that the surge in cases was revealed in latest data from November 19.
In her letter, copies of which have been posted on social media, she says: “Rates have risen sharply in children and young peope aged over five, particularly 10-14-year-olds with rates of over 2,000 per 100,000, more than double the national average for this age group.”
She called on headteachers to re-think plans for indoor Christmas events which could lead to large numbers of people mixing together.
She also called on heads to reintroduce the wearing of facemasks in communal areas - and most schools have now made this mandatory from this week.
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Hide AdMs Challenger said increasing numbers of Covid cases were now also being seen in primary schools.
She said keeping schools open remained a priority but urged school staff to continue to promote regular testing and the vaccination of staff and eligible pupils.
Some schools in West Sussex which have experienced a large outbreak of Covid have already cancelled indoor Christmas events following advice from the UK Health Security Agency, formerly Public Health England.