Leeds East Academy staff member tests positive for coronavirus

A staff member at Leeds East Academy has tested positive just days after a whole year group was forced to self-isolate after a pupil tested positive.
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The member of staff concerned became symptomatic on Thursday, September 17, the school's principal Sarah Carrie said in a letter to parents.

There is no indication transmission took place at the academy in Seacroft, Ms Carrie wrote.

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Leeds East Academy.Leeds East Academy.
Leeds East Academy.

Ms Carrie wrote in a letter dated yesterday (Monday): "I need to make you all aware that a member of our staffing body has tested positive with Covid-19.

"We have incredibly robust processes in place to address such instances swiftly and ensure that our academy community is kept safe and that we are fully adhering to government guidance.

"Please can I reassure you all that we have implemented this process very carefully, coupled with additional measures to those recommended, in order to further mitigate risk and ensure that the safety of our students and staff is central to the action we take.

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Ms Carried added: "After commencing the self-isolation period, the member of staff was contacted by NHS Track and Trace to inform them of contact with a positive case outside of school."

The principal went on to list a series of actions taken by the school in reponse to the latest positive case.

The letter continued: "As soon as the staff member reported symptoms, they were instructed to self-isolate for 14 days and to not return to work until a test was completed.

"A test was arranged at the earliest possible date.

"As a matter of course, all areas of the academy that had been in use were deep cleaned, following the academy’s rigorous sanitising process.

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"The colleague was asked to immediately contact the academy if the test returned as positive.

"On receipt of the positive result Public Health England were notified and advice provided to the academy which has been strictly followed.

"All colleagues who spent time in excess of 15 minutes and in close contact (less than 2 metres proximity) with the staff member were directed to go home and self-isolate for 14 days from the point of contact as a precaution.

"An additional cleaning regime has been undertaken through completion of microbial mist fogging. This is a safe and robust additional cleaning process that disinfects large areas and kills 99.99% of known viruses, germs and bacteria.

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"Action taken by the academy has been shared and logged with the Director of Children’s Services."

Ms Carrie added: "We recognise this is a very unusual time for everyone but can assure you that we are doing all we can to ensure your child is able to come to school safely, receive the best possible education, see their friends and to have some normality back in their lives."

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