More than one case of Covid-19 confirmed at Northampton disability specialist school

A school in Northampton that caters for children with autism and learning disabilities has confirmed more than one case of Covid-19.

Purple Oaks Academy in Whiston Road, Kingsthorpe currently has two bubbles self-isolating.

Although Greenwood Academies Trust who run the academy has confirmed there has been more than one positive test at the school, it has not announced how many people have tested positive.

It says those who have symptoms are still being tested, so the final number is not yet known.

A source has told the Chronicle & Echo that there have been nine positive tests so far, however this has not been confirmed by the school or the local health authority.

A spokeswoman for the Purple Oaks said: “The health, safety and wellbeing of our pupils and staff is our highest priority.

“We are working closely with Public Health England and the Local Authority’s Health Protection Team to ensure the necessary measures and precautions are taken in regards to Covid-19.

“After receiving notification of positive Covid-19 tests, and following our contact tracing procedures, we currently have two bubbles that are self-isolating for 14 days as advised by Public Health England.

“Our robust health and safety protocols have allowed us to effectively respond to this situation and ensure the academy continues to be safe for all other pupils and staff.

“We will be in regular contact with pupils, parents and staff to provide reassurance and up-to-date information and encourage anyone with concerns to contact the academy directly so that we can provide the necessary support.”

The local health authority has not yet released any information about the school, but the data will not be accessible until next week’s surveillance report is complete.

If there is a wider risk to the public, information will then be shared.

A spokeswoman for Public Health Northamptonshire at Northamptonshire County Council, said: “Outbreaks continue to be a feature of the pandemic both in Northamptonshire and across the country.

“Every setting is supported in the event of an outbreak and provided with appropriate guidance and support.

“We are not able to provide specific details on individual cases, or those involving small numbers, we are subject to information governance regulations in order to protect the privacy of individuals.

“We do include some higher level data on the number of outbreaks and the types of settings in which they occur in the weekly surveillance report and schools data will start to appear in next week’s report.

“Details about individual settings will only be made public where there is considered to be a wider risk to the population.”

Chronicle & Echo has repeatedly asked the school for confirmation of how many cases and how many students are self-isolating.

At time of publishing, they had not responded. An update will be posted if or when they do.

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