A TEENAGE boy is self-isolating at home while awaiting test results after showing symptoms of the coronavirus.

The 14-year-old Philip Morant pupil, from Colchester, had returned to school following a skiing trip in northern Italy with classmates and teachers.

After showing symptoms including a temperature, a cough and a sore throat, he was sent home on Tuesday.

His family called 111 and the teenager was taken to an isolation unit at Colchester General Hospital, where he underwent tests for the virus.

His sister, aged 19, said her family wished to warn other parents that children were being tested and had displayed symptoms.

“My mum and dad feel if they were the parents of other children at the school they would want to know this is going on,” she said.

“We were told two teachers are off sick with chest infections and both were on the trip.

“We called 111 and made an appointment to be tested.

“He was there for an hour, he was in an isolation pod and they came in with masks and suits before swabbing him.”

He has now been told to remain indoors and avoid contact with other people.

The family are expecting the test results tomorrow.

On Wednesday the headteacher at Philip Morant, Scott Holder, moved to reassure parents by insisting pupils did not visit quarantined towns in northern Italy during the trip.

“The area visited is listed in category 2 for ‘Italy: North’ on Public Health England,” he said.

“The group travelled by coach to the ski resort and did not fly."

He added: “The guidance is - travellers do not need to undertake any special measures, but if they develop symptoms they should self-isolate and call NHS 111.

“The advice from Public Health England is for the school to remain open as normal.”

So far, China has reported a total of 78,497 cases, including 2,744 deaths, since the outbreak.

Outside China, there have been 3,651 cases including 50 deaths.

The Gazette approached the school for comment, but did not receive a response.