As half term comes to an end, pupils in South Devon are urged to continue with regular Covid testing.
A major testing programme has been in place for students since schools returned in March to identify asymptomatic cases and isolate them as quickly as possible, helping to keep schools open in the local area. Students and staff have successfully built twice-weekly testing into their routines, which has been essential in keeping the virus out of schools and colleges.
Rapid testing continues to help find the one in three people with Covid-19 who show no symptoms, allowing them to isolate rather than unknowingly spread the virus and therefore preventing outbreaks from taking hold.
Secondary schools and colleges across Totnes and South Devon continue to provide packs of tests to their students so they can take two tests a week. Primary schools are also providing packs to their staff. Everyone is encouraged to test twice a week, with one of the two tests at the weekend to catch cases before starting the new school week.