Contract tracing linked the new variant back to Larchwood Primary School (credit: Google Maps)
Specialist testing has been made available for the students and staff at Larchwood Primary School after contact tracing linked back to the school.
One class are going back to remote learning.
A branch of KFC in Brentwood High Street and Trinity Church in Pilgrims Hatch are also the focus of targeted testing following a recent confirmed case involving the new variant.
Experts are worried “omicron mutates in ways they’ve not seen before” sparking new restrictions.
In a joint statement, Essex County Council and Larchwood Primary school said: “Following further contact tracing of the known Omicron Covid-19 case in Brentwood, it has been confirmed that there is a link to Larchwood Primary School based in Pilgrims Hatch.
“The UK Health and Security Agency, Department of Health and Social Care, Larchwood Primary School and colleagues from Essex County Council and Brentwood Council have worked together to take necessary precautionary action to prevent the spread.
“This includes making specialist testing available for all pupils and school staff and confirming arrangements for remote learning for one class.
“We appreciate that this is an unsettling time for parents, pupils and the school community but we take the time to remind everyone that this is a precautionary measure.”
There has been nine cases across the UK in total, including six in Scotland.
In England, teachers and pupils in Year 7 and above are now being “strongly advised” to wear masks in communal areas, but not in classrooms.
Face coverings will become compulsory again on public transport and in shops tomorrow – while new isolation rules for international travel will kick in.
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Tags: Brentwood, Pilgrims Hatch, Coronavirus
