Third Covid-19 case at Eastbourne school

Cavendish School sent an email yesterday (October 27) stating a member of the ‘school community’ had tested positive for coronavirus.

The email, seen by this newspaper, said, “We have been made aware a member of our school community has tested positive for Covid-19.

“Children who have been identified as a close contact to this person have already been contacted separately by telephone and a separate letter.

“We know you may find this concerning but we are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England.”

The ‘small number’ of children who had been in close contact with the individual who tested positive have been told to self-isolate for 14 days, the school said.

This is the third time this month Cavendish has confirmed a Covid-19 case at the school.

It has previously written home to parents on October 13 and again on October 20 confirming someone had tested positive for coronavirus each time.

The school said it remains open and children are told to go in unless they feel unwell or are informed otherwise.

It comes after a number of confirmed covid cases at Eastbourne schools since they reopened in September.

So far, there have been cases at Willingdon School, Polegate School, Heron Park, Gildredge House, and Ratton.

Cavendish School has been approached for comment.

According to the NHS, the main symptoms of coronavirus are:

• A high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)

• A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

• A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

If you have any of the main symptoms of covid-19, get as soon as possible.

Then stay at home and do not have visitors until you get your test result – only leave your home to have a test.