Coronavirus case confirmed at St Paul's Catholic Primary School in Thames Ditton
The school is working with Public Health England and Surrey County Council
Tom SmurthwaiteContent editor
St Paul's Catholic Primary School is near Our Lady of Lourdes Church, off Hampton Court Way (Image: Google Maps)
A person has tested positive for coronavirus at a primary school in Thames Ditton.
St Paul's Catholic Primary School, off Hampton Court Way, confirmed the case on Thursday (July 9) after a worried parent contacted SurreyLive regarding the issue.
The parent claims it is a reception pupil that has tested positive, however the school and Public Health England (PHE) will not confirm this information.
Specialists from PHE South East are providing advice and support to the school.
Following a risk assessment, close contacts at the Thames Ditton school have been identified and advised to self-isolate at home.
PHE says they have been informed of signs and symptoms, and how to obtain a test should they become symptomatic.
Dr Bernadette Purcell, consultant in communicable disease control for Public Health England South East, says: "We are working closely with the school, Surrey County Council and NHS partners to provide public health advice and help stop the spread of the virus.
"The school has been advised to follow national guidance and ensure that anyone who develops symptoms self isolates for seven days and gets tested for COVID-19, and all their household members isolate for 14 days.
"Close contacts of a confirmed case are asked to self-isolate for 14 days, even if they have no symptoms, as they could still be developing the disease before symptoms occur (to avoid unknowingly spreading the virus).
"Schools have been asked to take certain measures to help reduce the spread of the virus, including staff and pupils washing their hands more often than usual for 20 seconds with soap and water, coughing and sneezing into tissues and promoting the 'catch it, bin it, kill it' approach, cleaning frequently touched surfaces regularly and minimising contact with other people as far as possible."
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St Paul's will remain open and has been advised on public health measures to ensure it is safe for other pupils and staff to attend as normal.
However, if anyone does develop symptoms, which include a new continuous cough, high temperature or loss or change to their sense of taste or smell, they should self-isolate straight away and arrange a COVID-19 test via the NHS website here.
Are you a parent of a child at St Paul's? If you would like to comment on the confirmed coronavirus case, please email surreylive@reachplc.com.
Submissions can be anonymous if requested.
Molesey and The Dittons