A NEW case of coronavirus has been confirmed by a south Essex school after a pupil’s family member tested positive for the condition.

Headteacher of the Sweyne Park School, Katharine Dines, sent an email to parents yesterday morning, explaining that the family in question were self-isolating, following advice from Public Health England.

The child had not tested positive and the school confirmed it would remain open.

The email said: “I am writing to confirm that a family member of one of our pupils has tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19).

“I know that this will be worrying news, but want to reassure you that we are keeping up to date with advice from Public Health England to take all necessary action to ensure the welfare of our pupils, staff and their families.

“The pupil in question has not tested positive for coronavirus but acting on advice from Public Health England the family will be self-isolating as a precaution.

“We are keeping updated with advice from Public Health England and they advise that there is no need for us to take any action, so the school will continue to remain open as usual.

“We will, of course, continue to be vigilant with cleanliness and in ensuring we are aware of the latest expert advice.

“This can be found on the NHS website, and government updates are available on our website.

“I will be in touch again if the situation changes, and if there is any further information that I need to share.”

A spokesman for Sweyne Park School added: “The official advice for schools from Public Health England is clear and that is what we have followed.

“Like everyone we continue to be vigilant for symptoms and encourage and advise pupils and staff to follow the health and hygiene guidance.”

The nearby Down Hall Primary School also confirmed a case in a pupil’s relative.

The schools are extremely close to each other and there was only one new confirmed case in the county yesterday.

In a statement on the school’s website, headteacher Lou Nelson said: “I am writing to confirm that a family member of one of our pupils has tested positive for coronavirus.

“I know that this will be worrying news, but want to reassure you that we are keeping up-to-date with advice from Public Health England to take all necessary action to ensure the welfare of our pupils, staff and their families.

“The pupil in question has not tested positive for coronavirus but acting on advice from Public Health England, the family will be self-isolating as a precaution.

“We are keeping updated with advice from Public Health England and they advise that there is no need for us to take any action, so the school will continue to remain open as usual.”

The confirmed cases came as a primary school in Benfleet warned parents of a “suspected” case of the virus after one of its pupils presented with symptoms after returning to school from holiday.

Kents Hill Junior School also sent an email out to parents on Tuesday morning, explaining that a child was self-isolating following advice from Public Health England.

The email, from Kents Hill Junior School’s headteacher, Michael Thomas, said: “Kents Hill Junior School can confirm that one of our pupils is self-isolating following advice from NHS 111/Public Health England in relation to coronavirus.

“Currently, the pupil is suspected of being a case, but this has not been confirmed.

“I have sought advice from Public Health England and they have advised that there is no need for us to take any action.

“The child is monitoring their symptoms and I will update you if there is any further information I need to share.”

Several parents with children at Kents Hill Junior School and the infant school, have kept their children off school as a precaution.

The school was contacted for comment but did not respond by the time the Echo went to print.

It brings the number of schools affected by the virus in south Essex to seven, after Westcliff High School for Boys head Michael Skelly went into self-isolation after coming into contact with a child’s grandparent who had tested positive for coronavirus.

Belfairs Academy, in Leigh, also confirmed last week, that the father of a pupil at the school tested positive for the deadly virus and the family were self-isolating.

The child had not tested positive.

According to Public Health England, a total of six patients who tested positive for coronavirus in the UK have died.