Number of Wrexham schoolchildren self-isolating jumps to 1,900

Liam Randall, local democracy reporter

The number of school pupils self-isolating in Wrexham because of the coronavirus has jumped even further over the weekend to 1,900.

It represents a rise of just under 600 compared to the amount of youngsters forced to stay at home reported by Wrexham Council on Friday (June 25, 2021).

The number of schools experiencing positive cases of Covid-19 has also risen from 10 to 18 during the same period, according to the latest figures provided by the local authority.

It follows Year 12 students at the Maelor School in Penley being sent home earlier today after a positive lateral flow test.

In a post on Twitter, the school’s headteacher Simon Ellis urged youngsters to follow the rules after becoming aware of sixth form pupils attending parties over the weekend, despite some potentially testing positive for the virus.

He said: “I am concerned to hear this morning of at least two parties having taken place over the weekend where attendees may have tested positive for Covid 19.

“I request that if identified as a close contact by Track and Trace students must isolate for ten days.

“The school needs to be informed immediately should anyone test positive on a lateral flow test or a PCR test.

“I would recommend that any attendees at gatherings should be laterally flow testing regularly.

“I realise the inconvenience, but as a school community, one case in a year group will send the whole year group home for ten days. This is having a significant impact on learning.”

Public Health Wales has today confirmed 73 new Covid cases across Wrexham county borough in the 48 hours up to 9am on Sunday.

‘Highest number’ 

It represents the second highest number of cases reported in Wales, with Cardiff being the only area to have more in that period.

Meanwhile, the rolling seven-day infection rate per 100,000 of the population in Wrexham stands at 91.2.

The spike in cases has been driven by the Delta variant, which has particularly pushed numbers up among young adults and school children, many of whom have yet to be vaccinated.

In Friday’s update, a Wrexham Council spokesperson said: “The spread of the Delta variant in Wales and specifically in Wrexham continues to increase and our management of this third wave of infection is crucial.

“Current spread is primarily within younger people and it is of some comfort that hospital admissions remain low.

“Our message to families and individuals in Wrexham is that we encourage them all to become vaccinated, whether that be their first vaccine, or their second.

“Our progress out of this pandemic depends on achieving the greatest level of vaccination amongst our population so that further steps to recovery can be progressed.”