Vigo Village School pupil tested for coronavirus after first day back
12:11, 03 September 2020
updated: 13:02, 07 September 2020
A school pupil has been tested for Covid-19 after they showed signs of the virus after returning home from their first day back at school.
Vigo Village School, in Erskine Road, Vigo , confirmed one of its children had been tested after having "a persistent cough".
The child's parents rang at around 5pm to tell the school about the symptoms and they were advised to get a test as soon as possible, despite staff confirming the child hadn't been coughing during the day.
Head teacher Roger Barber explained all parents and staff were contacted and told a child was being tested for Covid-19.
He said: "Parents will subsequently be informed of the outcome of the test, and the school will take the appropriate actions in line with government guidance."
One parent was annoyed about the news, saying: "Great first day back at school, we have had a message from the school saying a child is being tested for Covid.
"We're not sending our boy back until the school sorts out Covid safe practice.
"Why are they not sending home any child straight away which has cold/flu like symptoms?"
"Why are they not taking temperatures of children on entering school?
"Why are they not sending home any child straight away which has cold/flu like symptoms?"
In response to the criticism, Mr Barber said: "Staff, parents, children and governors have worked tirelessly to meet government guidance.
"In terms of the taking of children’s temperatures, the guidance is clear and says ‘Public Health England is clear that routinely taking the temperature of pupils is not recommended as this is an unreliable method for identifying coronavirus (COVID-19)'."
