Gov to test hundreds of U18s for covid

Friday 27 November 2020

More cases of covid have been recorded in Jersey's schools, following a week that has seen a very significant spike in corona virus numbers, large groups of island students being sent home to isolate, and the Government announcing mass testing for many school children and young adults.

The Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, has also linked two of the school cases to a private party in the hospitality sector, which is now being investigated by officials to see if it created a new cluster of cases.

Speaking during a Government plan event last night, Senator Le Fondré, said he was "more than extremely disappointed" if the private event is proved to the cause of the new cluster, and behind the recent spike in covid cases. 

The government has confirmed 181 active cases in Jersey, a rise of 35 or 23%, on the previous days figures. 

In an e-mail to parents last night, De La Salle College confirmed a Year 6 member of staff had tested positive. 

Pictured: the contact tracing team are now working through the pupils who are isolating.

College Head Jason Turner said: “I am writing to inform you that there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 within De La Salle and to reassure you that I am working closely with the Government of Jersey’s contact tracing and infection control teams in order to support and protect our boys, staff and everyone in our De La Salle community in Jersey.

“The contact tracing team called to inform me that they had received a positive COVID-19 test result for a member of staff who works with Year 6.  This member of staff is currently isolating at home, along with the rest of their household following the public health guidance.”

The Government later confirmed this, adding that "The Contact Tracing team will be offering COVID-19 tests to students in the affected year group, on-site at the College."

The Government further confirmed this afternoon that a student at Springfield School has tested positive for covid today, and is now isolating alongside the rest of their household. Parents of children in the same year bubble have been informed, and as a precautionary measure those parents have been asked to collect their children early. They have been asked to keep their children home from school to allow the Contact Tracing Process to be completed. However, Springfield School will remain open to students outside of the bubble.

As well as this case, the Government confirmed that a staff member at La Sente tested positive for covid this morning. They said that the staff member had not been in school since 18 November, and that they are currently self-isolating alongside their household. Parents of the students who had been in contact with the staff member had been informed, and those students will be sent home this afternoon as a precaution, in addition to any staff who had direct contact. Both staff and students will have access to a covid test and be able to return to the school, which remains open, once they receive a negative result.

Express also understands there has been a second positive case at St. Michael’s School, in addition to the one that was confirmed yesterday. St Michael’s declined to comment this morning.

These new cases follow JCG having to send home its Year 13 students following a confirmed positive case. If the students at JCG are not considered to be a 'direct contact' of the case, and receive a negative test result, they will be allowed back to school on Monday. 

Pictured: Victoria College has been one of many island schools affected.

More positive school cases were also recorded over the weekend too: a Hautlieu student tested positive on Saturday, with all direct contacts spoken to on Sunday. A member of staff at Hautlieu tested positive on Monday morning.

A second case at Victoria College, following students being sent home last week, was also identified.

In addition, a Beaulieu student who had not been in School since Wednesday last week tested positive, with parents informed and direct contacts sent home until the Contact Tracing is completed.

STATEMENT: News of the outbreak of clusters of positive #COVID19 cases here on #JerseyCI has to be taken much more seriously. The public health advice MUST be followed. Exemptions for me have been ill judged. This is a collective disappointment & not because of upsetting stats!!

— Deputy Kevin Pamplin (@KevinPamplin) November 27, 2020

The Government announced this morning that all students in Year 11 and above in secondary schools and colleges, and anyone aged 16-18 who is not in education, will be offered covid screening at their school or college premises, or at the Harbour’s screening facility. 

Further details have yet to be announced as to the dates and plans, but will be forthcoming next week. 

It follows the Government testing over 100 teachers last week, who all were confirmed as negative.

Pictured: Education Minister, Senator Tracey Vallois announced mass testing for many school children and young adults. 

Education Minister Senator Tracey Vallois said: “I am pleased to see the positive uptake in teachers participating in the COVID-19 screening in schools. I would like to reassure parents and staff that the Department for Children, Young People, Education and Skills is working closely with the contact tracing and infection control teams in order to support and protect our children, our staff and our community.

“Regular testing is being offered to all of our teachers and I grateful to the testing teams for offering our teachers and students the opportunity to be tested on the school site.

“I am pleased to see the positive response we received from our older school students in Years 11, 12 and 13 and above wearing masks in the areas of their schools where mixing and social distancing is more difficult to manage. 

“The latest medical evidence says that the risk of infection and transmission is greater for older teenagers, than younger children, as recent cases have shown. This latest policy of introducing screening in secondary schools, with mask-wearing in communal areas and on the school bus, as well as face visors for teaching staff is to be welcomed to guarantee the highest form of safety for our school community.”