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A Teesside school at the centre of a Coronavirus scare has closed its doors for a deep-clean after staff and pupils "showed flu-like symptoms".

Trinity Catholic College in Middlesbrough said it will reopen on Monday after discussions with Public Health England.

It had announced earlier on Tuesday it was sending home 36 pupils who had been on a school skiing trip in northern Italy , along with eight members of staff.

But the school now say that a "small number of pupils and staff began showing mild flu-like symptoms" on Tuesday.

Anyone who went on the trip, which saw pupils spend eight days near Verona, should now be tested, said the school.

It's understood that a small number of pupils are now being tested.

It comes as the chief medical officer warned that those returning from northern Italy who develop flu-like symptoms, however mild, should "self-isolate for 14 days".

A statement from the Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust (NPCAT) said: "(We) are working with Public Health England's health protection team in response to the potential risks reported across the UK as a consequence of hundreds of schools returning from Italy over the last few days of half term.

"We have taken the decision to shut for a deep clean to ensure we take all precautions to limit the risk of infection, we will reopen on Monday March 2.

"This preventative measure is a direct response to a small number of students and staff returning from a skiing trip over February half term.

"We will ensure all parents and carers are updated regularly on the school website and social media and further guidance is available on our website."

The school had initially expected the pupils it sent home to be back in school on Wednesday, unless they were advised otherwise by the NHS 111 service.

On its website, the school - based on Saltersgill Avenue - said a small number of pupils and staff began showing mild flu-like symptoms on Tuesday.

"As a Trust we are advising the School to ensure that the pupils and staff who visited Italy last week self-isolate, regardless of whether they are showing symptoms of being unwell," the statement from NPCAT said.

"All pupils who attended the trip have been asked by the school to inform NHS 111 and insist on being tested for the Coronavirus, even if displaying very mild symptoms.

"Regardless of the current Department for Education and Public Health England advice that the school should remain open to all other pupils, the headteacher has decided, in discussion with the senior leadership team and the CEO of the Trust to completely minimise possible spread of infection amongst families and close the school for the remainder of the week.

"During this time, the school will be able to conduct a precautionary deep clean of the school buildings.

"We appreciate that there will be many views on this action amongst parents, and hope that everyone understands the ongoing fluidity of the situation."

It continued: "There are a number of pupils and staff who have vulnerable family members and it is the school’s duty of care to put in place the most secure of measures to minimise any possible infection.

"The staff, pupils and families of NPCAT are our main concern, and even though we understand the impact this may have on the education of the pupils, and disruption to working practice of parents, we believe this decision is justified."

Staff said that pupils will be sent home work to complete while the school is closed.