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Two members of staff at a primary school in Brighton and Hove are in isolation after coming in contact with a person who has coronavrius.

A second primary has told pupils they can stay away to prevent the virus from spreading, although both schools remain open.

Cottesmore St Mary’s Catholic Primary School and Bevendean Primary School, both in Brighton and Hove have contacted parents.

It follows the news yesterday that St Mary's Independent School, in Southampton, Hampshire, asked pupils not to attend for three days while a deep clean took place.

And a Chinese-owned private school in Ipswich, Suffolk, has put a ban on any new arrivals until the outbreak of Coronavirus is contained.

Ipswich High School, where fees are around £33,000-a-year, has a large number of students from China but no-one at the school has tested positive for the disease.

Cottesmore's headteacher Rachel Breen wrote to parents to say: "We have been informed that two people, from our school, have been advised by Public Health England to self-isolate for 14 days after coming into contact with a Coronavirus case.

(Image: Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)

"I appreciate it may be concerning that people have been told to ‘self-isolate’, however, this is a purely precautionary measure to help reduce the risk of the virus spreading.

"As part of self-isolation neither person is in school. Those who have been told to ‘self-isolate’ are being asked to avoid other people and stay at home and not go to work or school."

She added: "The Local Authority has confirmed to us that Public Health England and the office of the Chief Medical Officer are clear in their advice that schools do not need to close.

"I will continue to keep you updated with any advice that is passed to us. At this present time, there is low risk for anyone attending our school.

"However, if you wish to keep your child off of school at this time, then we will authorise this absence. Please contact the school if you are keeping your child off or if you wish to collect them."

(Image: Steve Reigate)

In a statement on its website Bevendean Primary School said: "We have just been made aware that a member of our staff has been in close contact with someone who has been advised by Public Health England to self-isolate as they have been in direct contact with the Coronavirus.



"We are currently in communication with the local authority and Public Health England for further advice and information however we feel that it is our duty to make you aware of what is happening.

"The school will remain open until further notice however if you wish to keep your child off of school at this time, then we will authorise this absence.

(Image: Google)





"Please contact the school if you are keeping your child off.

"Whilst nothing has been confirmed, the health and safety of our school community is of paramount importance to us and we have therefore taken this unprecedented step until we have more information."

St Mary's Independent School, in Southampton, which charges up to £10,500 a year, is currently on lockdown after the family of some of their pupils were put in isolation over coronavirus fears.

Head Claire Charlemagne told parents that a family with children in both the prep and senior departments of the school had developed symptoms of the potentially deadly virus after recently travelling to the area of China most affected.

After being seen by doctors at the nearby Southampton General Hospital, they have now been placed in isolation.

Nicola Griffiths, acting head of the 700 pupil-Ipswich High School, said: "We are not accepting any pupils from China and affected regions until the outbreak is contained.

"At a local parish church service at the weekend a speaker unhelpfully announced to parishioners that the school has a suspected case of the virus.

"We have followed up with the church concerned, who are attempting to correct this error and contact the congregation to provide reassurances and we ask for your assistance in dispelling this rumour.

"We will continue to work closely with the local community to keep everyone informed of the preventative action the school has taken so far and any possible further developments. "

All children travelling from China have been told they need to spend 14 days in self-isolation before attending private schools in the UK.

And at another private school nearby that has Chinese pupils bosses have also moved to reassure parents and locals.

Sarah Stewart said: "There have been no positive cases of nCoV at the Royal Hospital School.

"We do have a number of pupils from mainland China and other parts of the world but none of them have been in China or Hong Kong since the start of term which is over five weeks ago.

"None of our children are returning to China or Hong Kong over the half-term period.

"We have established protocols and will continue to monitor the situation, taking advice from Public Health England and communicating with the entire school community as appropriate.

"Our thoughts are with the pupils who are understandably anxious about their friends and family."