Yorkshire school staff to take weekly coronavirus tests as Matt Hancock announces London students will have access to rapid results

Schools in Yorkshire will roll out rapid coronavirus testing for staff as Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced a similar scheme for pupils in London where cases of the disease are rising.

Targeted testing will be introduced in five schools in Calderdale, where although leaders say rates are going down, they are still too high.

Initially part of a local pilot, Ryburn Valley High School, The North Halifax Grammar School, The Halifax Academy, Holy Trinity Primary School, Tuel Lane Infant School and Calderdale College will receive a month’s worth of lateral flow tests.

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And it means school and college staff, who are key frontline workers, will be tested at least once a week, with more than 2,000 tests due to be taken in one week alone.

Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty, Health Secretary Matt Hancock and National Medical Director at NHS England Stephen Powis during a media briefing on coronavirusChief Medical Officer Chris Whitty, Health Secretary Matt Hancock and National Medical Director at NHS England Stephen Powis during a media briefing on coronavirus
Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty, Health Secretary Matt Hancock and National Medical Director at NHS England Stephen Powis during a media briefing on coronavirus

Calderdale Council is also looking into possibly extending the testing to some older students, with Mr Hancock announcing similar plans for schools in the South in areas where rates are rising.

Speaking from Downing Street tonight, the Health Secretary said secondary pupils in areas of London, Kent and Essex with growing coronavirus rates would have access to testing. He said: “I’m particularly concerned about the number of cases in London, Kent and Essex. Cases are rising and in many areas are already high.

“Looking into the detail, the testing results and survey shows us that by far the fastest rise is among secondary school age children 11-18 years old, while the rate among adults in London is broadly flat.

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“But we know from experience that a sharp rise in case in younger people can lead to a rise among more vulnerable age groups later.

“We need to do everything we can to stop the spread among school age children in London right now – we must not wait until the review, which will take place on December 16. We need to take targeted action immediately.”

In Calderdale, council leaders plan to offer targeted testing to all schools in Calderdale by the end of the current school term.

The supplies being delivered this week will cover the period up until the Christmas holidays and the return to school in January.

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Cllr Tim Swift, Calderdale Council’s Leader and Cabinet Member for Public Health, said: “We must all continue to do the three big things to reduce the spread of Covid-19 – limit our contact with others, wear a face covering and isolate when needed.

“However, we know that certain settings, like schools, have a higher risk of people coming into contact with Covid-19 as it’s harder to stay two metres away from others. We are doing all we can to protect and support people most at risk, and that includes targeted testing in riskier settings.

“We’re starting with schools and will also be focusing on certain workplaces and public-facing services such as retail and hospitality.”

Deborah Harkins, the Council’s Director of Public Health, said: “Lateral flow tests can be a useful way of identifying people with Covid-19 who don’t have symptoms, so we can support them to isolate to prevent them spreading the virus without realising. The tests provide a rapid result.

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“They are not as reliable as the laboratory analysed test, so must be used carefully and not instead of the more accurate main testing programme. Anyone with Covid-19 symptoms should book a laboratory analysed test in the usual way.”

Providing detail about the testing scheme for schoolchildren, Matt Hancock said: “Having spoken to the leaders of London’s councils and the mayor, we’ve decided to put in place an immediate plan for testing all secondary school aged children in the seven worst affected boroughs of London, in parts of Essex that border London and parts of Kent.

“We want to keep schools open because that is both right for education and for public health.

“We are therefore surging mobile testing units and will be working with schools and local authorities to encourage these children and their families to get tested over the coming days. More details will be set out tomorrow.

“I want to urge all those involved to step forward for the testing.

“It is important that 11-18 years olds get tested in these boroughs, irrespective of whether they have symptoms.”

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