A primary school in Worcestershire has remained shut this week over concerns of a risk of a potentially deadly bacteria.
Pebworth First school was due to welcome back Reception and Year One pupils on Monday (June 1), like other schools in the county, as the coronavirus lockdown was eased. But instead the school, near Evesham, will remain shut for two more weeks.
A notice on Worcestershire County Council’s website states: “School closed from 01.06.2020-14.06.2020 due to risk of Legionella in the water supply following Covid-19 closure. Treatment and testing process is underway.”
The legionella bacteria can cause the lethal legionnaires’ disease which the NHS says is ‘a lung infection you can catch by inhaling droplets of water containing bacteria that cause the infection’. It can be caught when bacteria gets in to the water supply.
The Health and Safety Executive issued guidance this week on the risk of legionella following the coronavirus outbreak. It said: “People in control of premises, such as landlords, have a duty to protect people by identifying and controlling risks associated with legionella.
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“If your building was closed or has reduced occupancy during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, water system stagnation can occur due to lack of use, increasing the risks of Legionnaires’ disease.
“You should review your risk assessment and manage the legionella risks when you reinstate a water system or start using it again and restart some types of air conditioning units.
“If the water system is still used regularly, maintain the appropriate measures to prevent legionella growth.”
The checks at Pebworth First School are precautionary and no legionella bacteria has yet been found. the council has said.
A spokeswoman for Worcestershire County Council said: “Staff at Pebworth First School have been operating from their partner school during this period and following the advice and guidance for closed buildings, are having the water system at the school tested and treated as a precaution.
“Pupils were due to return in line with government guidance - as Pebworth is part of a three-tier system this applied to Reception and Year 1.
“The council has produced health and safety guidance for all schools in the county to ensure a safe return following the Covid-19 lockdown.
“This was produced following guidance from the Health and Safety Executive and the Legionella Control Association, and includes advice on the risk of legionella in water systems where buildings have been closed or partially opened during the lockdown period.”
The council said of its 94 local authority maintained schools (community and voluntary controlled), 71 will be fully open to all affected year groups by the end of this week. And 22 will be undertaking a wider opening following June 5, with Pebworth First School now due to reopen on Monday, June 15.
There are a total of 202 schools in Worcestershire that are affected by the wider reopening for year groups Nursery, Reception, Year and Year 6 from June 1, including 94 Local Authority Maintained schools, 21 Voluntary Aided, and 87 Academies.
