Covid-19 cases at Grimsby Institute

A small number of students at Grimsby Institute have been asked to self-isolate after two people tested positive for Covid-19.

The cases involved a student and a member of staff and were unrelated.

A spokesperson for the Institute said: “A student and a member of staff have previously tested positive for Covid-19 and have been in self-isolation. Both cases were unrelated, and we worked closely with Public Health England and the Local Authority for guidance.”

A small number of students were advised to self-isolate for 14 days as a precaution and the relevant staff have been informed. Learning has continued remotely for the students involved in order to minimise any disruption.

Debra Gray, Principal of Grimsby Institute, said: “Our priority is the health and wellbeing of our students and staff. We are working hard to ensure our learners are safe and we continue to undertake the appropriate Covid-19 measures as advised.”

The news comes as nationally MPs will vote later today (Wednesday) on whether to extend emergency powers given to the government to tackle coronavirus.

Dozens of Conservative MPs are demanding more parliamentary scrutiny of the multiple restrictions in place.

Also today the Prime Minster will face Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer in the House of Commons a day after he apologised for having “misspoke” about the latest coronavirus restrictions in northeast England.

The prime minister was forced to clarify that the new rules mean local residents cannot meet people from different households in social settings indoors, including in pubs and restaurants.

After Prime Minister’s Questions, Boris Johnson is due to appear at a Downing Street news conference alongside England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, and the government’s chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, to address the nation and give the latest update on the COVID-19 crisis.

It was announced yesterday that 7,143 cases of coronavirus had been recorded in the UK over the past 24 hours – the biggest rise since the pandemic began.