A HEADTEACHER has reassured parents over a primary school's connection with a confirmed coronavirus case.

Sarah Palmer of Camelsdale Primary School in Haslemere said the situation was being taken seriously and "the safety of our children and staff remain a top priority".

The school will remain open.

This follows news yesterday that two people in West Sussex have contracted the virus.

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In a message to parents, the headteacher said: "I write just to update you regarding the school’s connection with the confirmed coronavirus case in Haslemere. 

"Over the weekend, we have liaised with West Sussex County Council. 

"As ever, the health and safety of our children and staff remain a top priority. 

"I can assure you that we are taking the situation seriously but that we do not need to cause undue alarm. 

"The threat still remains low. It is important for the children that we remain calm and sensible. It is important that we work together as a school community to manage the situation."

The school has been advised by the Department for Education that it does not need to close or deep clean the site and "everyone should continue to be vigilant with hand washing and sneezing".

It has been reported that the school was notified of the coronavirus case on Friday, with the family of a pupil having met with one of the the West Sussex coronavirus patients earlier that week.

Miss Palmer added that "contacts are not considered cases if they are well. They are very unlikely to have spread the infection to others".

Camelsdale Primary School put a series of special measures in place yesterday to prevent the spread of the illness.

Miss Palmer said: "We will use assembly time and class time to reinforce the importance of washing our hands and sneezing into our elbows or a tissue to catch our sneezes, and avoid touching our eyes nose and mouth with unwashed hands. 

"There is some good learning for life to be had here.

"We will have sanitising gel around the school for children and staff to use.

"We will make sure our handwashing posters are up and around the school more visibly .

"We will expect visitors to the school to use the sanitiser at reception before entry to school.

"The school is cleaned on a daily basis and we will ask the cleaning team to be extra thorough."

She thanked parents for their support and said the school would continue to work closely with Public Health England and West Sussex County Council to keep people informed.