A WINCHESTER pupil has been diagnosed with coronavirus, making them the third known case of a student in the area with the virus.

Today (Friday) Henry Beaufort School announced that one of its students has contracted COVID-19 and is isolating at home.

Headteacher Sue Hearle said that the school has contacted Public Health England (PHE) and “they have stated that there is no reason for self- isolation of any other students in school, only the child involved”.

In a letter to parents, Miss Hearle said: “If any student develops the symptoms of the coronavirus then they must follow the advice and self-isolate.

“As a result of this we have made the decision to close the school early today. This is so we can perform a full deep clean as soon as possible after being informed of the confirmed case in order to minimise the risk of the virus spreading. The school will re-open on Monday as usual.

“The school will close at 1pm today. We have arranged for the school buses to leave school at 1pm. If this causes any parents a problem then please contact the school as matter of urgency to discuss travel arrangements.

“I understand that parents may be worried, but following advice from the specialists at PHE, I am assured that there is no need for the school to close for a longer period of time.”

Speaking to the Chronicle, Miss Hearle added: "We are following Public Health England advice. We are happy that we are taking very precautionary measures and we are doing the very best for our school community."

Miss Hearle did not confirm whether any other students may have been in close contact with diagnosed pupil and need to self-isolate.

It comes after a pupil at Perins School, in Alresford, was diagnosed with the virus earlier this week, and Peter Symonds College announced that one its students has tested positive.

All are currently in self-isolation. It is unclear whether the cases are linked.

Parents at Western CofE Primary School were also informed that two of its children were being tested for coronavirus, and on March 3 two pupils at Oliver’s Battery Primary School were put into quarantine.

The children had travelled in a taxi that had been used by a person with a confirmed diagnosis of the virus.