Site in Mickleover Re-Opened Following Closure Last Week

Pupils returned to St Clare’s School in  Mickleover, Derby yesterday (September 15th) after it was closed on Friday due to staff reportedly being affected by illness.

A spokesman from Watchdog Public Health England said: "We have been notified of 14 staff at St Clare's with sickness and diarrhoea.

"There has been no confirmation from samples as yet to what the illness may be. However, all symptoms and the duration of the illness suggest norovirus."

The Derby Telegraph reports that the outbreak led to the closure of the school on Friday and deep cleaning operations over the weekend.

No pupils are believed to have been affected at this stage, but anyone with symptoms has been urged to remain at home for 48 hours after their symptoms have ceased in order to   reduce any potential spread.

Expert Opinion

It is very worrying to hear reports of the illness which has affected this school. <br/> <br/>"Through our work acting on behalf of illness victims in the UK and abroad, we have seen how such issues can emerge in public buildings, such as schools and hospitals, as well as in other sites such as holiday resorts and hotels. <br/> <br/>"Victims can go on to develop long-term health problems as a result of such outbreaks and can see their lives significantly disrupted, often needing time off work and support from friends and family to get through such problems. <br/> <br/>"It is vital that every possible step is taken to investigate the problems which have affected this school, with the primary aim of ensuring lessons can be learned which will prevent them from being repeated in the future." Amandeep Dhillon - Partner