Coronavirus school closures: why have schools closed?

CORONAVIRUS has now claimed the lives of more than 3,000 people around the world - and 36 patients in the UK have been identified as testing positive for COVID 19. The outbreak has sparked

global fears, with thousands of people choosing to don masks in a bid to avoid the horrible illness. On Sunday alone, 13 new patients in the UK were diagnosed with the virus. The latest

cases included one person in Scotland, meaning the illness has now reach all four parts of the UK. While three of the new cases in England were linked to a man from Surrey, who was the first

patient to not have been abroad recently - suggesting he was infected within the UK. Medical Director Prof Paul Cosford says the country must be prepared for the further spread of the

disease, warning widespread transmission is now "highly likely”. SHOULD YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL BE CLOSED? Public Health England is not advising schools to shut - but some have decided to

send pupils and staff home as a result of the potentially deadly virus. The health agency says that if children, pupils, students or staff become unwell and believe they have been exposed to

COVID-19 they should follow the following steps: "CALL NHS 111, OR 999 IN AN EMERGENCY (if they are seriously ill or injured or their life is at risk), and if appropriate, explain

which country they have returned from in the last 14 days. "You can do this on their behalf if this is easier. People who become unwell should be advised not to go to their GP,

pharmacy, urgent care centre or a hospital. DON'T MISS CORONAVIRUS UK: HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ILL IN THE UK? - EXPLAINER CORONAVIRUS ADVICE: DRASTIC STEPS TO TAKE TO PREVENT EPIDEMIC IN UK

 - ADVICE LONDON CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK: EXCLUSIVE WIMBLEDON COLLEGE CLOSED - INSIGHT "Whilst you wait for advice from NHS 111 or an ambulance to arrive, try to find somewhere safe for

the unwell person to sit which is at least 2 metres away from other people. If possible, find a room or area where they can be isolated behind a shut door, such as a staff office or meeting

room. If it is possible to open a window, do so for ventilation. They should avoid touching people, surfaces and objects and be advised to cover their mouth and nose with a disposable tissue

when they cough or sneeze and put the tissue in the bin. If no bin is available, put the tissue in a bag or pocket for disposing in a bin later. If you don’t have any tissues available,

they should cough and sneeze into the crook of their elbow. The room will need to be cleaned once they leave. I"f they need to go to the bathroom whilst waiting for medical assistance,

they should use a separate bathroom if available. "Make sure that children and young people know to tell a member of staff if they feel unwell." You can read all the CORONAVIRUS

ADVICE FOR SCHOOLS HERE. PHE says there are general principles anyone can follow to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including: * washing your hands often - with soap and

water, or use alcohol sanitiser if handwashing facilities are not available. This is particularly important after taking public transport * covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then

throwing the tissue in a bin. See Catch it, Bin it, Kill it * people who feel unwell should stay at home and should not attend work or any education or childcare setting * pupils, students,

staff and visitors should wash their hands: * before leaving home * on arrival at school * after using the toilet * after breaks and sporting activities * before food preparation * before

eating any food, including snacks * before leaving school * use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available * avoid touching your

eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands * avoid close contact with people who are unwell * clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces * if you are worried about your

symptoms or those of a child or colleague, please call NHS 111. Do not go directly to your GP or other healthcare environment WHY HAVE SOME SCHOOLS CLOSED OVER CORONAVIRUS FEARS? In Kent, a

group of school children who had just returned from a week-long trip to Italy has been asked to self isolate. The pupils, from Homewood School in Tenterden, are not showing any signs of COVD

19. But the headteacher advised parents to keep their children away from school until further notice. Principal Jeremy Single said: “Following numerous communications with colleagues,

parents and representatives from Kent County Council, I have taken the decision to ask the staff and students involved in the ski trip to Italy over this past week not to attend school until

further notice. “This is an additional precaution from the advice given by Public Health England in order to reassure all members of the school community at an uncertain and emotional time.

“I apologise that this is a change in circumstances, although I am sure you can appreciate my caution in making this decision.” Two schools in Berkshire are now shut for deep cleaning after

a staff member tested positive for the virus. Parents of Aldryngton Primary School in Earley and Willow Bank Infant School in Woodley have been told to keep their children at home on March

2, before they reopen again tomorrow. A school in Tetbury will be closed until at least Wednesday after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19. Five schools in Devon have also closed,

citing "concerns" a member of the community has got coronavirus. And two pupils at a school in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, have been placed in self-isolation.