Staff at primary school in isolation as children allowed to stay home
Two members of staff at a primary school in Brighton and Hove are in isolation after coming in contact with a person who has coronavrius.
A second primary has asked pupils to stay away to prevent the virus from spreading.
Cottesmore St Mary’s Catholic Primary School and Bevendean Primary School, both in Brighton and Hove have both contacted parents.
It follows the news yesterday that St Mary's Independent School, in Southampton, Hampshire, asked pupils not to attend for three days while a deep clean took place.
Cottesmore's headteacher Rachel Breen wrote to parents to say: "We have been informed that two people, from our school, have been advised by Public Health England to self-isolate for 14 days after coming into contact with a Coronavirus case.
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"I appreciate it may be concerning that people have been told to ‘self-isolate’, however, this is a purely precautionary measure to help reduce the risk of the virus spreading.
"As part of self-isolation neither person is in school. Those who have been told to ‘self-isolate’ are being asked to avoid other people and stay at home and not go to work or school."
She added: "The Local Authority has confirmed to us that Public Health England and the office of the Chief Medical Officer are clear in their advice that schools do not need to close.
"I will continue to keep you updated with any advice that is passed to us. At this present time, there is low risk for anyone attending our school.
"However, if you wish to keep your child off of school at this time, then we will authorise this absence. Please contact the school if you are keeping your child off or if you wish to collect them."
In a statement on its website Bevendean Primary School said: "We have just been made aware that a member of our staff has been in close contact with someone who has been advised by Public Health England to self-isolate as they have been in direct contact with the Coronavirus.
"We are currently in communication with the local authority and Public Health England for further advice and information however we feel that it is our duty to make you aware of what is happening.
"The school will remain open until further notice however if you wish to keep your child off of school at this time, then we will authorise this absence.
"Please contact the school if you are keeping your child off.
"Whilst nothing has been confirmed, the health and safety of our school community is of paramount importance to us and we have therefore taken this unprecedented step until we have more information."
St Mary's Independent School, in Southampton, which charges up to £10,500 a year, is currently on lockdown after the family of some of their pupils were put in isolation over coronavirus fears.
Head Claire Charlemagne told parents that a family with children in both the prep and senior departments of the school had developed symptoms of the potentially deadly virus after recently travelling to the area of China most affected.
After being seen by doctors at the nearby Southampton General Hospital, they have now been placed in isolation.
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