Hundreds of pupils have been contacted over half term and told to self isolate after more coronavirus cases were reported.
Those affected won’t be able to return to school on Monday, even if they are in years eight and below.
Half term has been extended by a week as part of the circuit breaker lockdown, for pupils in years nine and above, except those in next week to take GCSE Welsh, English and maths.
One school, Ysgol Friars in Bangor, will shut to all pupils in all years next week after a “cluster” of cases there.
Despite the pandemic WJEC GCSE exams in English, maths and Welsh will be held in schools over the next two weeks, starting on Monday, November 2.
There is no definitive list of coronavirus cases in Wales. Not all councils report details publicly or on their websites.
(Image: Andrew James)
The list of schools which have reported cases and asked pupils to self isolate over half term and beyond as of October 30:
Anglesey
Two positive Coronavirus cases have been confirmed at Ysgol David Hughes in Menai Bridge.
Anglesey Council did not confirm which year groups the cases were in but said there was “currently no evidence to suggest transmission within the secondary school”.
It will only open for unaffected classes next week and, like other schools, won’t open for pupils in year nine and above
Blaenau Gwent
The council said to date there are currently 19 confirmed Covid-19 cases among pupils and 11 among staff in the following schools:
- Pen y Cwm Special School
- Ebbw Fawr Learning Community – Secondary Campus
- Ystruth Primary School
- Georgetown Primary School
- Abertillery Learning Community – Six Bells Campus and Secondary Campus
- Glanhowy Primary School
- Coed y Garn Primary School
- Tredegar Comprehensive School
- River Centre 3-16 Learning Community – Secondary Campus
- St Illtyd’s Primary School
- St Joseph’s RC Primary School
- Blaen y Cwm Primary School
Caerphilly
The council did not report any new cases from schools on its website update. The council did not respond to a separate request for an update.
Cardiff
St Teilo’s Church in Wales High – A case was confirmed on October 29. One member of staff and 54 Year Eight pupils have been identified as close contacts and have been told to self isolate for 14 days as a result, Cardiff Council said. Year Eight pupils should have been back in school next week.
Whitchurch High – In a letter to parents and carers on October 28 headteacher Mark Powell said another Year 11 pupil has tested positive for coronavirus. He expressed concern that two pupils were in the same day during the time when they were infectious before half term started.
His letter said:”We have been notified of a further positive covid case in Year 11. The parents of the pupils identified as close contacts will have received a separate email to that effect.
“The fact, though, that two pupils were in school on the same day during their infectious period should be a cause for as much diligence as possible in respect of possible symptoms emerging among pupils in this year group.
“If a third such case emerges then the advice will be that all Year 11 pupils will need to self-isolate until November 5th.”
Carmarthenshire
The council website listed the following cases reported over half term:
Coedcae School – two cases confirmed, one on October 29 and one on October 27
Bryngwyn School – two cases confirmed, one on October 28 and one on October 26
Ysgol Griffith Jones – one case confirmed October 28
Model Church in Wales School Carmarthen – one case confirmed October 28
Glan-y-Môr School – one case confirmed October 27. No pupils or members of staff at the school have been identified as having been in close contact with the individual concerned.
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School – one case confirmed October 27
Pembrey Primary School – one confirmed case October 27. No pupils or members of staff at the school have been identified as having been in close contact with the individual concerned.
Llangennech Primary School – one case confirmed case October 26
Ceredigion
The council said a “small number” of pupils at Ysgol Henry Richard, Tregaron, were asked to self-isolate for 14 days following the confirmation of a Covid-19 case at the school on October 27. The pupils are from a range of year groups as some travelled on the same school bus.
“The contact group have been asked to self-isolate as a precautionary measure in the first instance. All confirmed contacts of the positive case must remain at home for 14 days to reduce the possible spread of the virus to family, friends and the wider community,” the council said.
“In addition, pupils travelling on the same bus as the confirmed positive case have also been contacted and asked to self-isolate for 14 days again as a precautionary measure in the first instance. These pupils come from more than one year group from Ysgol Henry Richard.
“Due to the strong procedures that have been put in place in the school, only a small amount of pupils are having to self-isolate. All parents have been contacted by the School and will also be supported by Ceredigion Contact Tracing Team.”
Conwy
The council said it won’t have updates on cases for this week until next week.
Denbighshire
The council did not respond to a request for details of any new cases reported in its schools.
Flintshire
The council did not respond to a request for details of any new cases reported in its schools.
Gwynedd
(Image: Daily Post Wales)
A “cluster” of coronavirus cases at Ysgol Friars in Bangor means the school will shut for an extra week.
The school will now remain closed until Monday, November 9 – a week later than originally planned.
Merthyr
The council listed the following cases confirmed by schools over half term:
Cyfarthfa Park Primary School – case confirmed October 27. Class 4 (Yr1 – Mrs Millard) are asked to isolate and return to school on November 9.
Heolgerrig Community School- case confirned October 27. Year Five are asked to isolate until November 9.
Troedyrhiw Commmunity Primary School – case confirmed October 29. Class Coch (nursery) are asked to isolate and return to school on November 5.
Twynyrodyn Community School – case confirmed October 29. Year Three asked to isolate and return to school on November 5.
Ysgol Coed Y Dderwen- case confirmed October 28. The Nursery class and Year Three asked to isolate and return to school on November 5.
Monmouthshire
The council did not respond to a request for details of any new cases reported in its schools.
Neath Port Talbot
The council did not respond to a request for details of any new cases reported in its schools.
Newport
The council did not respond to a request for details of any new cases reported in its schools.
Pembrokeshire
The council did not respond to a request for details of any new cases reported in its schools.
Powys
The council did not respond to a request for details of any new cases reported in its schools.
Rhondda Cynon Taf
The council did not respond to a request for details of any new cases reported by schools.
Swansea
The council did not respond to a request for details of any new cases reported by schools but Gowerton School reported a case in a Year 10 pupil on October 26 in a letter from headteacher Nigel Jones.
As a result, all Year 10 pupils have been not to self isolate as well as any pupils in years 7, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 13 who travel on the 304 school bus.
The letter from the headteacher says: “Pupils in Year 10 have been identified as contacts of a confirmed case of Covid-19 and are therefore required to self-isolate.
“The child who has tested positive was in school on Friday 23rd October, therefore Year 10 need to self-isolate for 14 days from then, to 6th November inclusive.
“Self-isolation advice requires Year 10 pupils to stay at home, not to go outdoors to exercise, to visit shops, family or friends, or to other public spaces. Please do not invite people to your house.
“If your child is still well, they can return to their other usual activities on Saturday 7th November and to school on Monday 9th November as planned.
“Pupils in Years 7, 8, 9, 11, 12 & 13. Pupils in all other year groups do not need to self-isolate unless they travel on the 304 school bus. (Parents receive a separate communication).
Torfaen
The council did not respond to a request for details of any new cases reported in its schools.
Vale of Glamorgan
The council did not respond to a request for information on any new cases reported by schools.
Wrexham
The council did not respond to a request for information on any new cases reported by schools.
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