MORE than 660 pupils across Newport, Monmouthshire and Caerphilly are self-isolating due to positive coronavirus tests.

Just weeks into the new term, schools across the Gwent region have recorded hundreds of new cases among pupils and staff.

Concerns were raised last week in a Blaenau Gwent council meeting following a spike of positive results in schools.

It was reported that one class had been sent home already as half of its pupils had tested positive for Covid-19.

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As a result, the South Wales Argus asked each of the Gwent authorities how many pupils were self-isolating following positive tests as of Monday, September 20.

In Newport, a council spokeswoman confirmed there was “195 pupils off because of a positive Covid test and 23 staff.”

These figures were up to Friday, September 17 as figures are collected weekly.

As of Monday, there were 169 pupils in Monmouthshire who were off school self-isolating. 107 of those attend Monmouthshire schools.

A Monmouthshire council spokeswoman confirmed that, since the September 1, there have been 357 positive cases in Monmouthshire among school-age children – however these related to children living in Monmouthshire, so may include those who to school out of the county.

In Caerphilly, 279 new cases were recorded in schools on Monday, September 20.

Between the beginning of term and that date, 1,180 cases have been recorded in schools in the borough, the council confirmed.

A Caerphilly council spokesman said: “It is clear from the latest figures that Covid-19 has not gone away and we are grateful to our school staff for working hard to keep pupils and colleagues safe.

“We continue to urge secondary school pupils and school staff to take regular lateral flow tests and not to attend school if they test positive or display any Covid-19 symptoms.

“Those with symptoms should seek a PCR test immediately and follow the relevant guidelines to help keep themselves and those around them safe.”

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Councillor Paul Pavia, Monmouthshire council’s cabinet member for education, said: “Monmouthshire County Council continues to work very closely with schools to ensure we are collectively doing all we can to enable education continuity for all learners.

“All schools are now following the Welsh Government framework which is underpinned by robust public health advice.

“While we are confident by the measures in place, we still ask parents to be vigilant as we know the virus is still with us.

“For that reason, the continued advice is for any child with symptoms to be kept home and tested.

“If they are in close contact with a peer or teacher who is tests positive the TTP team will instruct parents on what they need to do – test and potentially self-isolate if their test is positive.

“As we know, the last two years have been challenging for our pupils who have faced disruption to their education so ensuring children are able to continue learning in a school environment with as little impact as possible is and will always be our key priority.”  

Blaenau Gwent council did not provide updated figures for the number of pupils who were self-isolating due to a positive test.

However, a council spokesman said: “It is clear from the latest figures that Covid-19 has not gone away and we are grateful to our school staff for working hard to keep pupils and colleagues safe.

“We continue to urge secondary school pupils and school staff to take regular lateral flow tests and not to attend school if they test positive or display any Covid-19 symptoms. Those with symptoms should seek a PCR test immediately and follow the relevant guidelines to help keep themselves and those around them safe.

“Whilst we will not share specific details regarding individual schools, we can confirm that any positive cases related to school pupils and staff are dealt with by the local Test, Trace and Protect (TTP) teams. We urge those contacted by the TTP team to follow their advice.”

Torfaen council were approached for figures for the number of pupils who were self-isolating on Monday, September 20, as well as a comment.