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A school in Staffordshire is closed for several days following a member of staff testing positive for coronavirus.

St Gabriel's School and Pre-school in Belgrave, Tamworth, is shut to allow a 'thorough clean' of the building to take place.

A total of four cases of coronavirus had been confirmed by Staffordshire County Council as of 2pm on Saturday afternoon.

In a letter published on the school's website on Sunday headteacher John P Hayes apologised to parents for the short notice and added it was 'the right thing to do'.

It added: "St Gabriel’s School (and Pre-School) will be closed for a few days from Monday March 9 in order to undertake a thorough clean of the building.

"The reason for this is that a member of staff has been confirmed as a case of coronavirus. The staff member had not been at school for a number of days and was not displaying symptoms on their last day of work. I am sure you will join me in sending St Gabriel’s best wishes to the member of staff.

"We have been in touch with Public Health England and Staffordshire County Council and, as the staff member has been absent for more than a week, the risk of picking up the virus remains low and the most effective way of stopping the spread is by washing your hands regularly.

"However, as a precaution, I have decided to organise a thorough clean of the building so the school will be closed from Monday for a few days. We will reopen as soon as we can and we will keep parents updated.

"There is no need for parents, staff or children to take any further action. However, of course, if you or a member of your family is feeling unwell and you are worried about the virus then please do contact NHS 111 for advice."

This afternoon - Sunday March 8 - the Department of Health confirmed the number of cases in the UK had risen to 273, the largest increase yet.

Two people who have tested positive for the virus, otherwise known as Covid-19, have died.

Dr Richard Harling, Staffordshire County Council’s Director of Health and Care said the advice still remained to follow good personal hygiene and carry on with everyday life as normal.

Dr Harling said: “I’d like to reassure people that the risk to the general public remains relatively low and Staffordshire County Council is working with health colleagues to do everything we can to stop the virus spreading and ensure the people of Staffordshire are protected.

“If you have not been contacted by Public Health England as a close contact of any of the four confirmed cases, you do not need to take any further action at this time.

“Good hygiene is the easiest and most effective way 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.”

Dr Sue Ibbotson, Centre Director, Public Health England West Midlands, said: “Public Health England is contacting people who had close contact with any of the latest confirmed cases of COVID-19.

“They 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.”

"Anyone who has recently been to one of the affected areas and is feeling unwell, should phone the NHS 111 helpline for further advice straight away – and not go to a doctors or a hospital."

The NHS has launched a new website with information about how to prevent the spread of the virus and what to do if you think you're infected - which you can visit here.