Further staff members at Bushey Meads school were told to self-isolate as a precaution following two members testing positive for Covid-19.

Bushey Meads school is reassuring that children are safe as it issued an email of explanation to parents this morning (September 9), after parents claimed they were left in the dark that two staff members had tested positive.

Yesterday, Hertfordshire County Council confirmed to the Observer that the two members were sent home immediately this week after testing positive for Covid-19.

The county council said the staff members are self-isolating and neither member has been asked to return to school.

These are currently the only two confirmed cases of Covid-19 at the school.

In an email sent to parents and carers, executive principal Jeremy Turner wrote: “You may well have read in the Watford Observer information about two staff at Bushey Meads who are self-isolating at home.

“As a school we would never share personal information about any staff sickness and I would like to reassure you that, as always, we are following all the government guidelines.

“No students have been in close contract with the members of staff and need to self-isolate; the school is safe and all necessary Public Health England advice is being followed.

“Students have continued to be extremely well behaved and have followed all the necessary adaptations, protocols and new rules.”

A few other staff members are believed to be self-isolating as part of the track and trace protocol since they were in close contact.

But some parents have told the Observer that they were shocked with how the school responded, given the current pandemic.

One parent said: “I have a right to know if there’s anybody in the school or close who has Covid-19.

“It’s a really odd way of finding out. I honestly couldn’t believe the school hadn’t thought the news wouldn’t get out there and they wouldn’t give us a heads up first.”

“They say the teachers weren’t in close contact – but how close do you have to be? They were shut in a room with the kids, it’s not like it’s the other side of the house.”

Another parent said they are “not filled with confidence” with the situation.

A student at the school said that since returning, they believe social distancing is being complied, but felt “they could do more”.

The school was approached for further comment.

Elsewhere, The Jewish Academy Trust said a “small number of pupils” at Hertsmere Jewish Primary School, near Radlett, have tested positive for the virus – and three classes have been isolated as a result.

Yavneh College is another school where it has been confirmed pupils are self-isolating, and it is understood there are other schools in the borough where similar action has been taken.

Read more:

• What Hertsmere residents are being asked to do to avoid possible 'local lockdown'

• Primary school pupils in Hertsmere have Covid-19 linked to ‘social events’

This week, a senior councillor warned schools could close after a “significant” outbreak of COVID-19 in Hertsmere.

Hertfordshire County Council has said that large gatherings and house parties that happened in the Borehamwood area in late August are to blame for the spread of Covid-19, which has seen at least 60 people living in Hertsmere test positive over the last week.

Through contact tracing, the council says at least 200 teenagers have identified attending these parties.

But it seems that social events involving younger children have also caused the virus to spread.

In a bid to ensure the spread stays under control, residents in Hertsmere are being urged to follow the guidelines on gatherings and taking precautions with regards to social distancing.

The director of Public Health in Hertfordshire, Jim McManus has also written to parents across the county this week reminding them to take key actions to stop the spread.

Cllr Tim Hutchings, executive member for public health in Hertfordshire, said: “We now need all residents in Hertsmere to pay really close attention to this serious issue of the spread of COVID-19, as well as working with community leaders, to remind them of the importance of following the government’s guidance to minimise the risks of the spread of COVID-19.

"If we do not get a grip on this local outbreak, then the risk is that schools may need to close.

“We have written again today to parents and carers of children at schools where fellow pupils are now playing their part by self-isolating, with a stern warning: stop these house parties and private events or face enforcement action of up to a £10,000 fine.”