An academy has confirmed one of its pupils has tested positive for Covid-19.

Hertswood Academy in Borehamwood wrote to parents on Monday after it received information about a case from Public Health England.

The pupil, understood to be in year 11, has not been in school since September 8, after they showed symptoms for the virus.

The letter says confirmation of a positive test was only received on Monday (September 21).

The letter, which appears to have been sent to parents of pupils who have been in close contact with the pupil who tested positive, says: “We have been advised by Public Health England that there has been a confirmed case of Covid-19 within the school.

“We have followed the national guidance and have identified that your child has been in close contact with the affected child.

“In line with national guidance we recommend that your child now stay at home and self-isolate until September 22 returning to school on Wednesday September 23.

“The child in question showed symptoms on September 8 and has not been in school since that date.

“Confirmation of a positive test was only received today. Guidance is that close contacts should self-isolate for 14 days from the first sign of symptoms, i.e. from September 8 to 22.”

The letter continues: “We are asking you do this to reduce the further spread of Covid-19 to others in the community.

“If you child is well at the end of the 14 days period of self-isolation, then they can return to usual activities.

“Other members of your household can continue normal activities provided your child does not develop symptoms within the 14 day self-isolation period.”

Last week, it was confirmed that a year 11 pupil at Bushey Meads School tested positive for Covid-19, which came after two teachers at the school also tested positive.

Meanwhile, the head teacher at Yavneh College in Borehamwood confirmed at the beginning of September that some of his pupils were self-isolating after an outbreak of Covid-19 in the Borehamwood area, before schools reopened.

Borehamwood Times:

Spencer Lewis said on September 3: “There are some Yavneh College pupils who currently need to isolate and who will not be able to start school on time next week. Most of these pupils were in direct contact with the few who have tested positive and all I am pleased to say, have only mild symptoms.

“We are liaising with Public Health England and are following their advice closely. These are difficult times for everyone.

“We will soon be contacting those pupils who are isolating with details as to how they can access and complete their school work while they are away from school.”

Hertfordshire County Council said the outbreak in cases in Hertsmere, which led the borough to be listed as an ‘area of concern’ by Public Health England was due to the virus spreading at teenage house parties in the Borehamwood area.

The rate of new cases in Hertsmere has stabilised but a weekly rate of 38.1 (40 cases) in the seven days to September 18 remains the highest in the south of England.

According to a government map, many of the most recent cases in Hertsmere have been in Borehamwood and Elstree.

Hotspots in late August and at the beginning of September were Radlett and Bushey Heath.