Covid-19 cases confirmed at Impington International College and Impington Village College
About 10 students from the sixth form at Impington International College and Impington Village College have tested positive for Covid-19 or are showing symptoms.
Staff, students and families directly affected are now self-isolating, the schools have confirmed.
Among them, as a precautionary measure, will be students on the BTEC performing arts and BTEC sport students, who will be receiving online lessons, following guidance from the local authority and Public Health England.
Principal Victoria Hearn said: “We have a robust risk assessment in place to minimise the transmission of Covid-19 between pupils and staff in college.
“We are confident that our remote learning provision will ensure that no students fall behind during a period of self-isolation. We are grateful for the continued support of our community and for the many positive messages we are receiving about the precautions in place and the quality of remote learning provision.”
The colleges said they have adhered to all government guidelines with regards to Covid-19, are being supported by the local authority and will monitor the situation carefully.
Impington International College closed for two weeks in October and switched to online lessons amid a previous outbreak, during which two sixth-formers tested positive.
Last week, the Cambridge Independent reported how 49 Cambridgeshire schools had recorded positive cases of the coronavirus in the week commencing November 2.
Histon and Impington Infant School recorded one case a week ago, but no more cases since.
Latest figures for the Histon, Impington and Orchard Park area show a spike in cases, with 22 recorded in the seven days to November 10, up 13 on the previous week. This is the highest weekly figure recorded in the area since the pandemic began, although that could also reflect the rise in testing.
The weekly infection rate of 182 cases per 100,000 people in the area remains below the national average.
In a message to the community. Histon and Impington Parish Council said: “In our communities conformance with lockdown rules has been good but these recent statistics just remind us that it’s not over yet. This Covid battle has still to be won so we must continue to exercise caution in the way in which we conduct our lives.
“We are fortunate that the food and other essential shops in our high streets are supporting us by remaining open. We thank them for that and encourage everyone to use them and to observe the rules when they do.
“So stay at home if possible, socially distance and wear a mask when going out, wash hands, and get tested if symptoms occur. And get the NHS app. It works (as Boris Johnson can testify)!”
Read more
Coronavirus: 50 Cambridgeshire schools report Covid-19 cases in one week
