Number of Peterborough pupils self isolating due to COVID nearly doubles in one week

Today Peterborough City Council said 200 staff and 2,565 pupils from a total of 40 schools are self-isolating in Peterborough.

At the same point last week 1,328 pupils and 39 members of school staff were self-isolating in the city, with 33 schools affected.

A total of 125 staff and 1,785 pupils in the rest of Cambridgeshire are self-isolating as a result of these cases,

Jonathan Lewis, Director of Education for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: “We are concerned with the rise in numbers of staff and pupils self-isolating in Peterborough, which has led to many of our secondary schools closing year groups. We will continue to work with schools to offer support so that young people can get the education they need.

“This week is the last week of term, which has been a highly challenging time for everyone involved in education and I would like to offer my sincere thanks to pupils, teachers, staff, governors and parents. We would urge everyone to continue to follow national health and safety guidance over the Christmas holiday period.

“We have provided schools with clarity on their role around contact tracing and the expectation after term ends. We have also sent information for schools to share with parents giving advice and support for anyone who needs to self-isolate.”