Coronavirus: Primary school staff member tests positive for deadly bug

Coronavirus: Primary school staff member tests positive for deadly bug
Parents and staff at Willow Bank Infant School, in Reading, Berkshire, were sent an email announcing the confirmed case and telling them to stay calm as coronavirus spreads in the UK

A staff member at a primary school has tested positive for coronavirus as the killer bug spreads to more cities and towns in the UK.

Willow Bank Infant School, in Reading, Berkshire, sent an email to parents and employees on Saturday night urging them to stay calm and follow recommended hygiene procedures.

The school, in the suburb of Woodley, is to be given a deep clean and will be closed for a few days amid growing fears there will be a wider outbreak.

The email, from head teacher Michelle Masters, states: “We regret to inform you that we were told today that one of our members of staff has tested positive for the Coronavirus, Covid-19.We understand that this will worry many of you, and can reassure you that we have taken advice from Public Health England, who have released the attached statements.

"We have also attached some FAQs which hopefully answer some of the questions you may have.

“We apologise that it has taken some time to officially inform you, however we have first had to perform the necessary checks and procedures that follow such an incident, which has taken most of today.

"Please can we ask that you remain calm and follow the recommended hygiene procedures.The school will be shut for some days to allow for a deep clean and to ensure that the risks of infection remain low.

"We will be in contact to ensure that you are kept updated.

“I am sure you will join with me to wish the affected member of staff all the very best for a speedy recovery.”

Earlier, Chief Medical Officer Prof Chris Whitty announced three new cases of the virus, bring the total number of cases in the UK to 23.The other two cases were in Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.

One of the cases is a resident from the Cotswolds area who became infected in northern Italy, and the other two involved a patient who also returned from Italy and one who had been in Asia.

The cases are being investigated and any individuals who had contact with the patients are now being traced.

Debra Lapthorne, centre director for Public Health England South West, said: "Public Health England is contacting people who had close contact with one of the latest confirmed cases of Covid-19.The case is a resident from the Cotswolds area and became infected whilst in northern Italy.

"Close contacts will be given health advice about symptoms and emergency contact details to use if they become unwell in the 14 days after contact with the confirmed case.

"This tried and tested method will ensure we are able to minimise any risk to them and the wider public.

"If you have not been contacted by Public Health England, you do not need to take any action at this time."Boris Johnson spoke with Chief Medical Officer Prof Whitty and Health Secretary Matt Hancock on Saturday, Downing Street said.

The Prime Minister - who announced on Saturday that he is engaged to girlfriend Carrie Symonds and she is pregnant - is receiving regular updates and there will be another call on Sunday, No 10 added.

As of 9am on Saturday, more than 10,000 people in the UK had been tested for the virus, also known as Covid-19 - with 23 confirmed as positive.

It comes as health officials continue to trace anyone who had contact with a patient in Surrey who became the first to catch the illness within the UK.t was not clear if the patient had contracted the virus "directly or indirectly" from somebody who had recently travelled abroad, Prof Whitty said on Friday.

He added that the patient had been transferred to a specialist NHS infection centre at Guy's and St Thomas'.

Haslemere Health Centre in Surrey reopened on Saturday morning after it was temporarily closed for cleaning as a "precautionary measure" on Friday.

Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt, MP for South West Surrey, said on Twitter he was thinking of "clinicians, staff and patients" at the surgery during this "worrying time"He added: "Thoughts today with new Covid19 patient and local GP with symptoms alongside their families."

On Saturday morning, health minister Edward Argar refused to comment on reports that a GP may have been infected with the virus.

"I'm aware of The Guardian report, but I'm going on the basis of what I've been told," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"I haven't had any details of that and I think it would be wrong to comment on speculation in the press without that detailed advice from the chief medical officer."

Mr Argar also defended the Prime Minister against criticism that he had been slow to act on coronavirus, having delayed chairing his first emergency Cobra meeting on the outbreak until Monday.