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Coronavirus: Bembridge Primary School Selected For Government Study

Bembridge Primary is one of 100 schools in England to have been chosen for a Public Health England scheme which will 'add to the data' on antibody studies.

The program has been launched to monitor COVID-19 in UK schools, and will assess the prevalence of the illness among pre-school, primary and secondary pupils and teachers.

As of today (Tuesday), Bembridge Primary School is the only school on the Island to have been picked.

The first round of testing for all staff and pupils is expected to take place tomorrow (Wednesday) and Thursday (18), and will continue on a weekly basis until the end of term.

It will involve a nasal swab with the tip of a cotton bud, which will be carried out by the school nurse.

Bembridge Primary says PPE will be worn and social distancing will be maintained. Parents of pupils have received letters asking them whether they would like their child to take part.

Headteacher Sandra Groocock said:

"I am very pleased that we have been asked to take part in this research and believe that it is really important in order to get all children back to school as soon as possible and to inform decisions at a higher level.

"The study will help PHE England and the Government to understand how common asymptomatic and mild cases of COVID-19 are, so that parents, pupils, teachers and support staff can be supported and informs their ongoing response to the virus. Data will be fed back to inform a potential second phase study in September

Participation from schools is on a voluntary basis and all parents and carers are asked to provide consent for their children to take part in the testing if they so wish...

"It is not a nasopharyngeal swab. The children have been used to the flu drops which are squirted into the nose and visits from the dentist in school."

Data collected from the study will be fed back to Government, with potential for a second phase in September.

Isle of Wight Radio is awaiting a comment from the Isle of Wight Council.

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