Yahoo News At least 12 UK schools send pupils home amid coronavirus fears
At least 12 schools in the UK have sent pupils home over fears children and staff are at risk from coronavirus.
Some schools have closed entirely while others have told students and teachers who are feared to have been exposed to the virus, known as Covid-19, in Northern Italy, to stay at home.
Travellers returning to the UK from northern Italy have been told they may need to self-isolate as part of measures to stop the spread of illness after hundreds of infections were confirmed in the region.
Authorities in Italy reported on Tuesday night that the number of people infected in the country grew to 322, and deaths of patients with the virus rose to 11.
Britons who have been in affected regions of Italy – including Lombardy and Veneto – were told they should self-isolate at home for 14 days even if they have no symptoms.
Coronavirus cases in Europe have rocketed this week. Austria, Croatia and Switzerland reported their first cases, while Spain and France recorded new ones, also involving people who had been to northern Italy.
The first positive test in South America has been recorded after 61-year-old Brazilian man who had recently been to northern Italy tested positive, it has been reported.
These are the schools which are known to be been affected:
Cransley School in Northwich, Cheshire is closed for the week
Trinity Catholic College in Middlesbrough is closed for the week
Lutton St Nicholas primary school in Lincolnshire is closed
Gedney Church End primary school in Lincolnshire is closed
St Christopher’s C of E High School in Accrington told parents it would be shut on Wednesday
Sandbach High School in Cheshire said students and staff who visited Aprica, in Italy’s Lombardy region, were to stay indoors and self-isolate
Brine Leas School in Nantwich, said its sixth form was closed due to staff shortages following Government advice regarding travel to Italy
Penair School in Truro, Cornwall has told students to stay home after returning from ski trips
Salendine Nook High School in Huddersfield has told students to stay home after returning from ski trips
Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School in West Derby has told students to stay home after returning from ski trips
Newquay Tretherras in Newquay has told students to stay home after returning from ski trips
St Peter’s C of E Primary School in Windsor is closed on Wednesday
