Hartlepool primary school closes early for Christmas after 13 cases of coronavirus in children and staff

A Hartlepool primary school has taken the decision to close early for Christmas after more than a dozen cases of coronavirus among pupils and staff.
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St Teresa’s RC Primary School in Callander Road closed on Monday, December 14, following 13 cases of Covid-19 in just a few days.

It led to a large number of children and staff members self-isolating, including the school’s own safeguarding staff.

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St Teresa’s had been due to break up for the Christmas break on Thursday, December 17.

St Teresa's Primary School.St Teresa's Primary School.
St Teresa's Primary School.

The school will remain closed until after the holidays on Monday, January 4.

It hopes the extended break will act as a ‘circuit breaker’ and prevent anyone else from becoming infected.

St Teresa’s RC Primary School headteacher Mary Frain said: “In the past few days the school has had a total of 13 cases of Covid-19 among staff and pupils.

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"Due to the high numbers of pupils and staff having to self-isolate as a result – including the school’s safeguarding staff – having consulted with the Council’s Public Health Team we felt the safest decision was to close for Christmas from today, instead of this Thursday as was originally planned.

"This also provides a ‘circuit break’ joined on to the Christmas holidays, to help prevent the spread.

"The safety of our pupils and staff is, as always, paramount.”

Numerous primary and secondary schools in Hartlepool have been hit by outbreaks of the virus.

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Last month Throston Primary School closed for a day for a deep clean after their deputy head tested positive.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced mass testing for secondary school children in certain hotspot areas after fast rises of the virus among 11 to 18 year-olds.

According to data from Public Health England, Hartlepool had another 31 new cases on Sunday, December 13, bringing the total number since March to 4,345.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust recorded another two deaths.

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The number of cases in the borough is said to be falling but local Public Health chiefs believe it will not be enough to take Hartlepool out of Tier 3 when the government reviews the situation on Wednesday, December 16.

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