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Two Devon residents have been confirmed as having coronavirus and are being treated at a specialist centre in Newcastle.

The two people - understood to be related - became infected whilst in northern Italy.

It comes as five schools in the South Devon area suddenly announced they were closed today.

Churston Ferrers Grammar School, Collaton St Mary, Galmpton Primary School, Berry Pomeroy Primary School and Brixham Church of England Primary School all told staff and pupils not to come in this morning.

Public Health England confirmed that both cases are residents from the South Devon area with one attending a secondary school in Torbay.

The ages of the people involved have not been confirmed at this stage.

NHS coronavirus advice - the facts COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It's caused by a virus called coronavirus. Stay at home if you have coronavirus symptoms Stay at home for 7 days if you have either: a high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back

a new, continuous cough – this means you've started coughing repeatedly Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you're staying at home. Testing for coronavirus is not needed if you're staying at home. Read our advice about staying at home. Urgent advice - Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if: you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home

your condition gets worse

your symptoms do not get better after 7 days Use the 111 coronavirus service Only call 111 if you cannot get help online. How coronavirus is spread Because it's a new illness, we do not know exactly how coronavirus spreads from person to person. Similar viruses are spread in cough droplets. It's very unlikely it can be spread through things like packages or food. How to avoid catching or spreading coronavirus Do wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds

always wash your hands when you get home or into work

use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available

cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze

put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell Don't do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

Devon Live understands the two people are related and they have been taken a serious infection centre at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

Debra Lapthorne, centre director for Public Health England South West, said: “Public Health England is contacting people who had close contact with two confirmed cases of COVID-19.

"Both cases are residents from the South Devon area and became infected whilst in northern Italy.

"Staff from PHE continue to support a secondary school in Torbay where one case attends.

"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."

Caroline Dimond, director of public health for Torbay Council, said: "I’d like to reassure people that the risk to the general public remains low in both Torbay and South Devon and we are working with health colleagues to do everything we can to stop the virus spreading and ensure the people of Devon and Torbay are protected.

"Good hygiene is the best prevention and there are some simple steps you can take to protect you and your family by washing your hands regularly and thoroughly and if you cough, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue.

"If you have recently been to one of the affected areas and are feeling unwell, you should go to NHS 111 online, phone NHS 111 helpline or for further advice straight away – please don’t go to your doctor or a hospital. There’s lots of advice on how people can protect themselves online."

Time Line Coronavirus in Devon - timeline of events 06:29 - Churston Ferrers Grammar School announces closure An email was sent to parents of students at Churston Ferrers Grammar School in Galmpton infoming them that the school is closed for all staff and students today as a "precautionary measure" after a late phone call with Public Health England. 07:57 - Announcement on school website Staff at Churston Ferrers Grammar School confirmed the school's closure on the school's website. 08:45 - Galmpton Primary School and Collaton St Mary Primary School announced closures Both Galmpton Primary School and Collaton St Mary Primary School announced the schools would be closed today (Monday). 09:00 - A fourth school announced it is closed Berry Pomeroy School in Torbay also said it is closed. 09:57 - A fifth school confirmed its closure Brixham Church of England Primary School and Preschool announced its closure on its website. 10:20 - Spires College remains open Staff at Spires College in Torquay confirmed the college would remain open. A statement on the college’s website said: “The Spires College is following guidance and instruction from Public Health England and the Local Authority regarding COVID-19 / Coronavirus. The college remains open as usual. “Should we receive further instruction from Public Health England or the Local Authority, we will follow it and advise the college community immediately.” 10:41 - Devon County Council shared government and NHS advice Devon County Council shared advice on social media. 12:13 - Torquay GP surgery confirms it is closed Staff at Chelston Hall Surgery in Torquay confirmed the surgery was closed, but would not comment on whether this was related to the Coronavirus school closures nearby. 14:30 - Department of Health and Social Care reports 40 positive cases of coronavirus in the UK In an update from the government, the Department of Health and Social Care announced a total of 13,525 people in the UK had been tested for coronavirus. 40 of these tested positive. 14:33 - Chief Medical Officer confirms Devon Case The Chief Medical Officer said the four patients with coronavirus were from Hertforshire, Devon and Kent. 15:08 - Prime Minister Boris Johnson said more UK cases are 'likely' and shared advice about how to prevent the virus from spreading Prime Minister Boris Johnson chaired a meeting of the Government’s emergency Cobra committee to discuss a "battle plan” for tackling coronavirus in the UK. He warned more cases are likely to come in the near future. After the meeting, Mr Johnson said: “We have also agreed a plan so that if and when it starts to spread, as I’m afraid it looks likely it will, we are in a position to take the steps necessary to contain the spread of the disease as far as we can, and to protect the most vulnerable.” 15:12 - Prime Minister Boris Johnson says "scientific advice" would be taken before schools are closed Mr Johnson said the closing of schools and banning mass gatherings would only be taken under scientific advice. “The most important thing for people to understand is that (measures) will be guided by scientific advice,” he said. “All four nations of the UK and the chief medical officers are involved in this and they will be helping us to take key decisions on when and how to take protective steps. “We cannot forget that the single most useful thing that we can all do to support the NHS is to wash our hands, two times to Happy Birthday, with hot water. “It’s very important that people should continue (doing) that and they should go about business as usual.” 15:16 - Public Health England confirms there are TWO cases of COVID-19 in Devon Centre Director for Public Health England South West, Debra Lapthorne confirmed in a statement that there are two cases of coronavirus in South Devon. The statement said: “Public Health England is contacting people who had close contact with two confirmed cases of COVID-19. Both cases are residents from the South Devon area and became infected whilst in Northern Italy. “Staff from PHE continue to support a secondary school in Torbay where one case attends. “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.” 15:20 Torbay Council says the risk to the public "remains low" Director of Public Health for Torbay Council, Caroline Dimond said the risk to the general public in Torbay and Devon remains "low" and said the authority is working with health colleagues "to do everything we can" to stop the coronavirus spreading and "ensure the people of Devon and Torbay are protected". “Good hygiene is the best prevention and there are some simple steps you can take to protect you and your family by washing your hands regularly and thoroughly and if you cough, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue,” she added. “If you have recently been to one of the affected areas and are feeling unwell, you should go to NHS 111 online, phone NHS 111 helpline or for further advice straight away – please don’t go to your doctor or a hospital. There’s lots of advice on how people can protect themselves online at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus”

Follow live updates on the coronavirus cases in Devon here.