A SCHOOL in Tadley has announced that one of its pupils has been diagnosed with coronavirus.

The pupil, in Year 2, is said to be a 'weak positive', meaning it is a very mild case. The child had not attended school since Monday.

The school has been cleaned and Public Health England say there is no need to close the school, according to a letter sent to parents from headteacher Sarah Peters.

In the letter, sent yesterday (Friday), she said: "As you know, many children have had coughs, colds and high temperatures over the last few weeks.

"We have just been informed that we have a confirmed case of Covid-19 in Year 2.

"I do not think you need to be excessively concerned but I want to be completely honest with you and would rather you heard from me than a 'rumour'.

"The child has not been in school since Monday; the classroom was cleaned that day, as it is every day; the child tested as 'weak positive', which means it was a very mild case.

"I understand that parents may be worried, but following advice from the specialists at PHE, I am assured by the experts that there is no need for our school to take any action at this time.

"As you are aware the school is closing today and will be subject to a deep clean."

How many positive tests are there?

There are now 3,983 positive cases in the UK, with 107 in Hampshire - the highest outside of London.

So far, 177 people have died, with 79 confirmed patients recovering.

The numbers on positive cases and recoveries are likely to be higher because not every person who has symptoms will be tested.

What is the latest advice?

The latest advice is to wash your hands often, for a minimum of 20 seconds.

If you have a new, continuous cough or a high temperature, you should stay at home for seven days. If you live with other people, they should stay at home for 14 days. If any of them start developing symptoms, you should immediately reset the self-isolation period.

There is no need to contact the NHS unless your symptoms get worse. Then, use the NHS 111 website, and call if your symptoms are more severe.

Children often get a milder form of the virus.