Coronavirus warnings after Lincoln students return from trips to Italy

A number of schools in Lincoln and Lincolnshire have issued warnings to students, and two have closed suddenly, due to coronavirus fears.

At least five schools in Lincolnshire, which recently hosted half-term ski trips to Italy, have issued warnings to pupils and staff to stay indoors and self-isolate if they show symptoms of Coronavirus.

More than 70 Year 8 to 12 pupils from Priory Federation schools LSST, Witham and City in Lincoln, the Pembroke Academy in Cherry Willingham, and the Priory Ruskin Academy in Grantham, visited Aprica in Lombardy in northern Italy, where 11 towns were in lockdown.

A letter sent by The Priory Federation of Academies Trust to parents/carers, which was seen by The Lincolnite, said students from the academy were among those who took part in a Priory Federation ski trip to Aprica in Italy.

They arrived back in Lincolnshire on February 22 and have been informed of the latest guidelines. The letter adds that the trust has also taken advice from Lincolnshire County Council in order to help allay any concerns people may have.

A “potential connection” to coronavirus has forced two schools near Spalding to close suddenly.

Gedney Church End and Sutton St Nicholas both said that they were closing as a precautionary measure. They were forced to close because “an individual within the school” was being tested for coronavirus.

The Department of Health told the schools to commence a deep clean of the buildings before they will be allowed to reopen.

Virus continues to spread

There have been more than 80,000 cases of the Covid-19 disease reported worldwide since it emerged last year. Around 2,700 patients have died, the vast majority in China. Infections have risen again in South Korea, and Italy and Iran are also battling to contain outbreaks of the virus.

Coronavirus advice

The UK Chief Medical Officers have raised the risk to the public from low to moderate.

The symptoms are similar to other common illnesses like cold and flu:

• a cough
• a high temperature
• shortness of breath

People have been told to call 111 if the have been:

• to Hubei province in China in the last 14 days
• to Iran, areas of northern Italy in lockdown or “special care zone” areas in South Korea since 19 February
• to other parts of mainland China or South Korea, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau in the last 14 days and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath
• to other parts of northern Italy (anywhere north of Pisa, Florence and Rimini), Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar since 19 February and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath
• in close contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Call 111, stay indoors and avoid close contact with other people.

Click here for the latest information and advice from Public Health England.