Covid cases confirmed at three local schools

In Derry, Hollybush Primary School informed parents at the weekend that a pupil had received a positive test result.

They informed parents in the same class as the child that they would be unable to attend school from September 7 in keeping with Covid-19 regulations.

It is understood the pupils will not be able to return to school for two weeks.

The school also said they would be undertaking a deep clean of the classroom and they would make further contact with parents when they had received more advice from the Public Health Agency.

No one from the school was available to comment on the current situation when contacted by the ‘Journal’.

Meanwhile two other schools, one in Strabane and one in Dungiven, have also informed parents of a positive case in each of the schools.

St Mary’s Primary School in Strabane have informed parents there was a positive case of Covid-19 in the ‘school community’. The letter provided to parents did not specify whether the case involved a pupil, teacher or member of school staff.

The Principal, Sandra Doherty, said she would be seeking further advice from the Public Health Agency and sought to reassure the wide school that ‘every precaution has been taken’.

She added that she would continue to monitor the situation and keep parents informed.

In Dungiven, St Canice’s Primary School also advised that there was a positive case in the school community.

The Principal, Mr Ciaran Loane, informed parents the affected classroom had been closed and enahnced cleaning arrangements had been made.

In a letter on the school’s website, Mr Loane added: “Ensuring the safety of pupils and staff is my absolute priority and I will continue to monitor this situation carefully.”