Pupil at top NI grammar school tests positive for COVID-19

It is believed that the pupil at Coleraine Grammar School tested positive in the last 24 hours.

A statement from the School Principal, Dr David Carruthers said: “The school was informed this morning that there has been a positive Covid-19 test for a pupil in Coleraine Grammar School.

“The pupil concerned was not in school on Monday 28th September 2020 because of Covid-19 symptoms, and Friday 25th September was a staff training day when no pupils were in school.

“As soon as the school was aware of the positive test outcome, the PHA was contacted, and their advice is being rigorously followed.

“Pupils who are close-contacts of the pupil who has tested positive have been identified and are self-isolating according to the PHA guidelines.

“The pupils who have to self-isolate will be supported pastorally and in their learning while the pupils are at home”.

The news comes as the Department of Health reveal that another 320 have tested positive for COVID-19 in NI.

Earlier it emerged that a second primary school in Northern Ireland has completely closed after two members of staff tested positive for COVID-19.

In a letter to parents and guardian on the school website, the principal of St. Patrick’s Primary School Saul, Mr. Mark McGrath said: “This morning we have news that we have two confirmed cases of Covid–19 within our staff.

“After consultation with CCMS and our governors we have decided the safest course of action to protect the heath and safety of the whole school community is to CLOSE until we get advice from the PHA.

“This has not been forthcoming just yet.

“We will be in contact with you on how we will move forward as soon as we have it, this decision has been taken to allow you some time to organise child care and talk to your children.

“I sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused but know that you will want to support this decision in order to keep everyone safe and return to school as soon as we can.”

Prior to that a positive case of COVID-19 was detected at Lisnasharragh Primary And Special Educational Needs School in Castlereagh.

The school remains open as normal and all pupils and staff who may have come into contact with the person who tested positive for COVID-19 have been contacted and told to self-isolate for 14 days.

__________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for reading this story on our website.

While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Irish and UK news and information online and on our app.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit www.newsletter.co.uk now to sign up.Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them.

By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Thank you,

Alistair Bushe