A MEMBER of staff at a Winchester school has tested positive for coronavirus.

The staff member works for The Ark, a breakfast and tea club provider, which operates at St Bede Church of England Primary School, in Gordon Road.

A small number of children who have been in close contact with the individual who has tested positive for Covid-19 have been contacted and received an individual letter informing them that their child must stay at home for 14 days.

In a joint letter to all parents, headteacher Sarah Duck and The Ark administration manager Imogen Taylor said: “We know that you may find this concerning but we are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England.

“This letter is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (Covid-19) will be a mild illness.

“The school remains open and your child should continue to attend as normal if they remain well.

“To help with this, I will speak to all the children at school tomorrow to let them know what measures have been taken as a result of this confirmed case, to provide reassurance and to remind them of the actions we are all taking to stay safe and limit the spread of the virus.”

The school has been contacted for a comment, but it has yet to respond.