Groups of pupils and staff at seven schools in the Vale of Glamorgan have been advised to self-isolate.

The Cardiff and Vale Test, Trace, Protect Service has advised bubble groups at each of the following schools to self-isolate.

Cadoxton Primary School, Barry

Colcot Primary School, Barry

Evenlode Primary School, Penarth

High Street Primary School, Barry

Llandough Primary School, Llandough

Palmerston Primary School, Barry

Y Bont Faen Primary School, Cowbridge

This precautionary measure has been taken after a small number of positive cases were recorded at the Llandough Resource Base last week.

The regional Test, Trace, Protect team is working closely with the individual schools and the Vale of Glamorgan Council to manage the incident and to support pupils, parents and staff. Pupils or staff outside of these bubble groups are not at risk.

Cllr Lis Burnett, Deputy Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration said: "This is a precautionary measure being taken to ensure any impact on schools is kept to a minimum. With more pupils returning to our schools and new variants of Covid-19 in circulation it is more important than ever that we act quickly and cautiously.

"All schools have robust processes in place to respond to incidents such as this and the use of contact bubbles has ensured that all other pupils will be able to attend school as planned, without further disruption to face-to-face learning.

"We all have a role to play in ensuring the return of pupils to the classroom is a success. Parents should not send their children to school if they have any symptoms of Covid-19. Instead the whole household should stay home and get tested."

People living in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan can now have a free coronavirus test if they have any of a wider range of symptoms.

As well as the three most common symptoms of Covid-19 - a fever, a new continuous cough or a loss/change of taste and smell - people are now able to get a test if they have any of the following.

Fatigue

Myalgia (muscle ache or pain)

A sore throat

A headache

Sneezing

A runny nose

A loss of appetite,

Nausea

Vomiting

Diarrhoea

This enhanced approach is designed to help find cases of new variants of COVID-19 and identify people who may be at risk of passing on the disease to others without knowing.

The seven schools have contacted the parents or guardians of all affected pupils directly. More details about the arrangements for each school will be published on the Vale of Glamorgan Council website.

Coronavirus tests can be booked online at https://gov.wales/getting-tested-coronavirus-covid-19 or by calling 119.

When booking online due to the wider list of symptoms Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan residents should select the option "you have been asked to take a test by your local council.