A SECOND school has warned pupils to be alert to symptoms of coronavirus after students returned from a ski trip in Italy. 

The country has become Europe's worst hit by the virus, with more than 300 cases and 11 deaths. Several regions are in lockdown.

Portslade Aldridge Community Academy sent a message to parents conveying Government advice as a precaution yesterday. 

The school said new Government guidance on coronavirus was "particularly relevant for our school because of last week’s ski trip to Lurisia in northern Italy".

But the school said the risk to pupils and staff was low because the trip took place at least 140 miles from the affected Italian towns.

The school also asked parents to remain vigilant about the risks of travelling to areas where the virus is prevalent. 

The letter added: "We are also aware that of some of our families travel overseas during school holidays and might have visited regions in northern Italy which are now in lockdown due to high numbers of people testing positive for coronavirus or being advised to self-isolate."

The news comes after Cardinal Newman school in Hove advised pupils showing symptoms of coronavirus to self-isolate after they came back from a ski trip in Italy. 

>>> READ MORE: Coronavirus fears as Cardinal Newman ski trip returns from Italy

A spokeswoman for Brighton and Hove City Council said there were no plans for schools in the city to close.

She said: "Cardinal Newman and PACA schools took students and staff on ski trips to northern Italy in half term last week, but both schools stayed in locations at least 140 miles away from the nearest town in lockdown, so we understand the risk to be low. 

“We’ve worked closely with Public Health England and both schools. Letters of reassurance and guidance for parents, carers and staff were issued yesterday.

“We’ve also supported all schools in the city with template letters for their schools’ communities outlining the new  Public Health England guidance as we’re aware that some families travel overseas during school holidays and might have visited regions in northern Italy and other countries which are now in lockdown.

“There is no need for pupils and staff to stay away from school unless they meet Public Health England’s self-isolation criteria as above or are asked directly by Public Health England to self-isolate.”

“We have well tested business continuity plans for all council services. This includes what will happen if there is an outbreak of any fast spreading illness such as Norovirus and flu in a school.

“We continue to work closely with Public Health England, who are the authority which will advise on whether schools should close. We have not been told by Public Health England that any of the city’s schools should close.”