Nine schools have been closed across the UK after pupils have returned back from school ski trips, some are suffering with flu like symptoms.
So far today schools in Cheshire, Cornwall, Sidcup, Yorkshire, Doncaster, Middlesborough and Co Antrim have sent pupils home to self-isolate for 14 days.
Tyler Maher, executive head Teacher at Cleeve Park school said, ” I can confirm that a group of students and staff have recently returned from a skiing trip in Northern Italy.
“A small number in the group have reported feeling unwell and as a precaution, they have been isolated at home from the other students and staff.
Cransley school in Northwhich, Cheshire has closed for the week after pupils visited the coronavirus hit region in Italy.
NHS clinical services advised all staff and pupils who went on the ski trip to Bormio, Italy to self-isolate.
A letter from the Headteacher Richard Pollock said, “Following a ski trip by 29 pupils and five staff from Cransley School to Bormio in Lombardy over half term, a small number of pupils and staff began showing mild flu-like symptoms yesterday.”
Pollock added, “All pupils who are unwell should inform NHS 111 and insist on being tested for the coronavirus.
“I am attending a dedicated ‘pod’ at Warrington General tomorrow myself. Pupils should not use public transport or taxis.”
During the closure the school will be “deep cleaned.” A second school, Brine Leas Academy in Nantwich, Cheshire has also been affected by travel to Italy.
The second school. Brine Leas School wrote on Twitter, “We are currently following government advice regarding travel to Italy. Further contact with parents will be made this morning.”
The school later added, “We have taken the decision to close BL6 (sixth form) due to staff shortages.”
On Tuesday Professor Chris Witty, the UK’s chief medical officer has published new advice, anyone who has travelled from northern Italy back to the UK must self-isolate, even if you do feel well.
Travellers who have come back to the UK who have travelled north of Pisa, Rimini and Florence and do show signs of coronavirus must also self-isolate.
The British health secretary, Matt Hancock told Sky News, on Tuesday morning, “I’m pretty worried. We’ve got the plans in place.
“At the moment the containment here is going well, but it’s my job to be worried.
“That’s what you’d expect of a health secretary in the middle of what is a global outbreak.
“There is a good chance that we contain this at this sort of level where the number of cases – although we expect more cases in the UK – the number of cases is relatively low as now.”
More than 200 people have been infected with coronavirus and seven deaths.
