A primary school headteacher has died after testing positive for coronavirus.

Wendy Jacobs, headteacher of Roose Primary School inBarrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, was diagnosed with COVID-19 earlier in theweek.

Sadly Mrs Jacobs has now died after being treated in intensive care atFurness General Hospital.

A statement from the school's Chair of Governors, Fred Chatfield,said: "Dear parents and carers, It is with great sadness that I writeto inform you that our headteacher Mrs Jacobs passed away today.

"This is devastating news for our school and nursery community and allour thoughts and sympathies are with her family.

"We are all in shock, and given these exceptional circumstances wehave taken the decision to close the school and nursery fully tomorrowto all pupils, including those of essential workers.

"I am sure you will understand that opening the school and nursery isnot an option. We would recommend that all children we kept at hometomorrow.

"This is a huge loss to our school, nursery and our community and Iwill be in touch as soon as possible to explain how we will celebrate Mrs Jacobs' life and contribution."

Mrs Jacobs was headteacher at Roose Primary School. Credit: Google Maps

The coronavirus death toll in the UK has now reached 281.

As of 9am on Sunday, 78,340 people had been tested forcoronavirus in the UK, with 5,683 patients confirmed positive, theDepartment of Health and Social Care and Public Health England said.

Boris Johnson has said the Government is ready to impose tougherrestrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus if people do notfollow the guidance on social distancing.

His warning came as the latest official figures showed the number ofpeople across the UK who have died after testing positive for Covid-19has risen by 48 to 281, including patients aged 18 and 102 – thoughtto be the youngest and oldest victims so far.

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