A high-level team of health and education officials moved swiftly on Monday to address growing concerns at Hillaby Turner’s Hall Primary School after a number of students reported symptoms consistent with scarlet fever.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George confirmed that 13 cases had been reported and investigated following concerns over students presenting with symptoms including rash, fever and sore throat. However, laboratory testing revealed that only one case was positive for Group A Streptococcus, the bacterium responsible for scarlet fever.

The findings were disclosed during a meeting involving senior officials from the Ministries of Health and Wellness and Education Transformation, representatives of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT), the Association of Public Primary Schools (APPS), and members of the school’s staff. Below is the statement issued by the Ministry of Education Transformation: