Coronavirus: Doncaster primary school closed for deep clean as staff member self-isolates

Pupils and staff at Armthorpe’s Southfield Primary School are being told to stay at home after a member of staff began displaying symptoms of COVID-19.

The school is likely to stay closed until Wednesday.

Headteacher Nicola Worthington said in a statement: “We have a staff member self isolating showing many of the symptoms of Covid 19.

“The medical professionals have verbally advised her to treat this as coronavirus but will not swab.

“As such, this case is unconfirmed but the staff member is following Government guidance.

“As a precaution we are closing school on Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 March to deep clean.

“We expect to be open on Wednesday 18 and will confirm this in the next two days.

“Once again I thank you for your understanding in these highly unusual times.”

It is the latest in a number of schools in Doncaster to be affected by coronavius.

Last week, year one pupils at West Road Primary Academy in Moorends were sent home after a member of staff came into contact with a confirmed coronavirus case.

After February half term, pupils at four Doncaster secondary schools were also subjected to coronavirus testing and advice after returning from trips to Northern Italy.

Doncaster Council has stated that there are officially no confirmed cases in Doncaster, although several media outlets have reported two cases locally.