PARENTS have been reassured as the number of schools with confirmed cases in Southampton hit record highs.

In the week of July 12-18, educational settings in the city recorded 201 positive Covid-19 cases, the highest number since data was first collected on this back in November 2020.

The list, which can be found on the city council website, shows that the number of cases began to steadily increase after June 7-13 when only one case was recorded in the whole week.

As well as this, between July 10 and July 20, 138 schools across Hampshire County Council’s remit recorded at least one positive case, more than double the numbers that were being recorded in June.

Now though, parents and carers have been reassured as the county begins to reopen after restrictions were eased on Monday.

Director of Public Health at Southampton City Council, Dr Debbie Chase, said: “Southampton’s school leaders and staff have worked incredibly hard over the past 16 months to limit the spread of COVID-19.

“Unfortunately the presence of a more transmissable variant, alongside easing of restrictions, has presented an additional challenge and we would expect to see rising case rates.

“While we understand the concerns of parents and carers, we would reassure them that schools have continued to work closely with the council and Public Health England so that they are prepared to help contain the spread of infection when a case in a school is confirmed.”

The council added that attending school is important for young people’s “academic and personal development” and pledged to continue working with schools.

Dr Chase added: “Parents and carers can help play their part too by taking part in regular symptom-free rapid testing and by ensuring that their household isolates in line with government guidance.”

A Hampshire County Council spokesperson said that the rise in cases has been seen across the country and said with the easing of restrictions, this “is to be expected”.

They added: “Over the course of the pandemic, schools across Hampshire have worked exceptionally hard to ensure appropriate safety measures are in place.

“On the eve of the school summer holidays, we wish our pupils and students a safe and happy few weeks and encourage everyone to continue to exercise caution while enjoying the new freedoms.”