Coronavirus: Pupil at Peterborough school sent home after visiting Italian town under lockdown

The pupil was sent home from Arthur Mellows Village College in Glinton, although the school has decided against closing.

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This is in contrast to Lime Academy Watergall in Bretton which announced today it was closing for the rest of the week as a precaution to allow for a deep clean to take place after a family recently returned from northern Italy.

Bretton Community Pre-School, in Watergall, has also confirmed it is closing to allow for the premises to be cleaned, with the two places the only ones to shut so far in Peterborough.

So far there have been no confirmed cases of the infection in Peterborough, although people have been seen entering a pod at Peterborough City Hospital.

In a message to parents, Arthur Mellows head of college Mike Sandeman said he was aware that parents were “concerned” but that the pupil was “not displaying any of the symptoms of the coronavirus”.

He added: “We have spoken to Public Health England in detail about our situation who have advised us that the school should remain open as usual.”

Meanwhile, Market Deeping Community Primary School has written to parents warning them of a “precautionary measure” it has taken because of a “potential connection to the coronavirus by an individual who has come into contact with children in our school”.

The school added: “Children in Cubs Reception Class worked with this person during a trip to Forest School on Monday. The individual visited Italy during half-term and has since developed flu-like symptoms. Fortunately, the individual acted very swiftly and was isolated and tested for the coronavirus. We anticipate that results should come through within 72 hours.”

The school added that Public Health England national guidance states that “there is no need to close the setting or send other learners or staff home” while testing is being carried out.

The news follows yesterday’s announcements from Lutton St Nicholas Primary School and Gedney Church End Primary School in the Spalding area that they had closed “as a precautionary measure” because of a potential connection to the coronavirus by an individual who is now in isolation.

Meanwhile, Ely College has sent some pupils home for two weeks after they returned from a skiing trip to northern Italy feeling unwell.

The only announcements so far have come from schools, with public health bodies refusing to comment unless there is a confirmed case of coronavirus.

A Peterborough City Council spokesperson said: “We are aware that one school and one pre-school have closed as a precautionary measure and not because of any confirmed cases of the coronavirus.

“These closures will remain in place until the end of the week and the situation will then be reviewed at that point.

“Individual schools can take the decision to close but we have recommended they seek advice from the NHS before doing this. The council will continue to work with all schools to issue advice to ensure education is not disrupted.”

Public Health England is advising that there are things you can do to help stop germs like coronavirus spreading:

. Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.

. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.

. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

. Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

. If you are worried about your symptoms or those around you, call NHS 111. Do not go directly to your GP or other healthcare environment

For further information on the coronavirus visit: https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2020/01/23/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-what-you-need-to-know/.