A FRUSTRATED headteacher is telling students at a secondary school once again that they should wear masks in classrooms amid rising Covid cases.

Wigmore School, north of Leominster, saw cases rise in year eight in recent weeks.

Executive headteacher Rob Patterson said that had now stabilised, but cases were now rising in other years groups.

In a letter to parents which he signed "yours frustratedly", Dr Patterson said the extent of rising cases meant masks would once again be needed in communal areas and classrooms.

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"I’m sorry to have to report that cases have increased in other years to the extent that further measures will be re-introduced across the school to help reduce the spread of this persistent peril," he said.

"We therefore strongly advise that from tomorrow all students at Wigmore High School wear face coverings in communal areas and classrooms. Again, this is advice rather than a mandatory expectation.

"We do, however, continue to expect all high school children, who are not exempt, to wear face coverings on school transport.

"Additionally, could all students please come to school in their PE kits on the days that they have physical education. This will reduce proximity mixing in school changing rooms."

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The Government ditched advice for face masks in secondary school last month, as well as Plan B measures for the general public also being dropped.

It means face coverings are no longer a legal requirement in shops, other public places or public transport, and people were no longer advised to work from home if possible.

In the latest figures, 2,520 people in Herefordshire tested positive for coronavirus in the seven days to January 29 – 339 more than the week before.

The infection rate on Tuesday stood at 1,301.6 cases per 100,00 people – higher than the UK average of 1,009.4.