30 pupils self-isolating as coronavirus case confirmed at Oldbury school
Thirty students and several staff are self-isolating after a child tested positive for coronavirus at a Sandwell school.
The positive case was confirmed at Moat Farm Junior School, in Oldbury, on Thursday.
School headteacher Lara Stone encouraged staff and students to remain "vigilant".
It is at least the third school in the Sandwell borough to have had a student test positive, while numerous schools elsewhere in the region have also sent students home to self-isolate after cases were confirmed.
Schools in England opened their doors fully to students for the first time since March last week.
The school has worked with Sandwell Council and Public Health England following the confirmation of a Covid-19 case.
A spokesman for the council said: "A pupil at Moat Farm Junior School has tested positive for Covid-19 and is isolating for at least 10 days, as per national guidance.
"The school has infection control measures in place which will have helped limit the potential spread of the virus.
"They are working with the council’s public health team and Public Health England.
"As a precaution, thirty children who have been in the same ‘bubble’ are self-isolating for 14 days, as well as several members of staff."
Ms Stone added: "Ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of all our students, staff and wider school community has, and continues to be, our absolute priority. Following a pupil testing positive for COVID-19, we have acted immediately and worked closely with Public Health England and Sandwell Council to undertake all necessary actions and precautions.
"We are continuing to encourage all students and staff to remain vigilant and continue to uphold all the various safety protocols not just when they are at school but importantly when they are out in the local community.
"We will be keeping pupils, parents and carers updated with any developments and are encouraging anyone with concerns to contact the school directly so that we can provide the necessary support."
