NEW self-isolation guidance will be issued to schools across Cumbria today in a bid to tackle a rise in cases amongst school age children.

Colin Cox, Cumbria County Council’s Director of Public Health, is advising that siblings of children who test positive should also self-isolate and take a PCR test 3-5 days after their sibling has tested positive before returning to school if they’re negative.

Cases are rising relatively slowly overall in Cumbria with a three per cent increase in the last 7 days, but cases are rising quickest amongst the younger age groups.

The 12-18 age group accounted for the greatest number of new cases in Cumbria, with 524 additional cases.

This was followed by those aged between five and 11 age group, which had 412 new cases.

Data up to Tuesday, September 21 shows that 88 per cent of Cumbrians over the age of 16 have now received their first dose of the vaccine and 83 percent have had their second dose.

Vaccinations for those aged 12-15 began this week.

Colin Cox, Cumbria’s Director of Public Health, said:

“We’re issuing this new guidance in a bid to halt the spread of COVID-19 amongst school-age children and allow time for the 12-15 vaccine rollout to take effect.

“If you’re a parent of a school age child, you may have received a consent form this week asking for permission to vaccinate your child against COVID-19.

“If you haven’t already, I urge you to sign and return the consent forms as soon as possible.

“As cases amongst younger age groups rise, it’s important to remember that although the chances of young people falling ill or being hospitalised because of COVID-19 is low, it’s not impossible and the virus may then spread to more vulnerable family members.”