A sickness outbreak has forced a school in Wales to close temporarily, affecting over 250 students and staff members. St Martin’s School in Caerphilly will undergo a deep cleaning during the closure period, with online learning arrangements in place. The decision to shut down was made by the school’s head teacher, Lee Jarvis, due to a significant increase in flu-like symptoms among the school community, such as vomiting, high fevers, fatigue, coughing, diarrhea, and headaches.
Out of the total affected individuals, 242 are students, and 12 are staff members. The school plans to reopen on December 9, pending further evaluation of the situation. Parents have been advised to keep their children at home if they display any symptoms, no matter how mild. Public Health Wales has confirmed its communication with the school and mentioned that the school independently conducted a risk assessment and made the closure decision autonomously.
Mr. Jarvis explained the situation, stating, “We have seen a notable rise in flu-like illnesses among our students and staff over the past week. Currently, 242 students and 12 staff members are absent due to various symptoms, with an average recovery period of approximately seven days. Following guidance from Public Health Wales, we are closing temporarily to prevent further spread and ensure a thorough cleaning of the premises.”