Islington schools are banning finger food and teaching “perfect hand-washing” in efforts to stop coronavirus spreading.
Central Foundation Boys’ School near Old Street has advised pupils who had been abroad over half-term to self-isolate and be tested for the virus.
In a statement on its website on Tuesday, the school announced that the tests had come back negative for two thirds of boys, with the final third still awaiting results.
Schools are working on ‘perfect hand-washing’
The school also said its teachers and pupils had been “bedding down” virus transmission prevention strategies.
“The students have been excellent in adopting the need for the focus on handwashing,” the statement said.“ Tutor time has been used to teach perfect handwashing.
“We have removed all ‘finger food’ from our breaktime menu and required the use of forks and serviettes to hold the food. Students who bring in pack lunches should also use the serviettes provided to eat their food.”
The school, in Cowper Street, said students’ attendance has remained high despite the coronavirus threat. “An example of ‘normality’ continuing at the School was 60 of our Year 7 students taking part in a music workshop all day on Monday, which culminated in them performing as an orchestra for parents and teachers at the end of the day,” it said.
A spokesperson for Dallington School told Islington Now they had been “really vigilant” in combating the virus. “We’ve been doing the vampire sneeze, washing your hands, using hand sanitiser, sending all the staff and parents emails, and following NHS guidelines,” they said.
“We didn’t have any kids who went away. We had a sibling who was away and he was self isolated but his brother then tested negative.”
St Andrews Church Of England Primary School’s office told Islington Now: “We’re doing what we normally do. We’re doing extra sessions, but we’ve always had antibacterial and alcohol gels around the schools, promoting handwashing, and everyone’s aware of it. We’re just emphasising it.”
Hanover Primary School has said the school is taking measures, and has “emailed all staff”. The school said they have encouraged kids to learn about “using hand wash during study time” and that “everyone is aware of it”.
More cases diagnosed positive in UK
More than 85 people have so far been diagnosed with coronavirus in the UK. England Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said yesterday the number of cases would significantly rise, and the UK should “expect some deaths”.
In a press conference discussing the UK’s battle plan on Tuesday, the Prime Minister said: “We don’t think schools should be closing in principle. If possible they should stay open but school authorities should follow the advice of Public Health England.”
