TWO more children at Queen Elizabeth's School in Wimborne have tested positive for coronavirus.

A letter sent to parents and carers on Monday, September 14, by headteacher Katie Boyes said the latest confirmed cases of COVID-19 were within Year 10.

This came a day after the school confirmed two pupils in Year 9 tested positive.

Mrs Boyes said the school was working with Public Health England and Dorset Council.

Close contacts of the children who have coronavirus were identified and had to be collected from the school yesterday as soon as possible.

The letter to parents said these close contacts had been separated from the rest of the year group until they were picked up by their parent or carer, adding that they were not allowed to travel home on the bus. They must now self-isolate for 14 days.

The school remains open and Public Health England were due to review the situation in a meeting yesterday afternoon.

Mrs Boyes's letter said: "Following my previous letters we have been advised by Public Health England that there have been two confirmed cases of COVID-19 within Year 10 at Queen Elizabeth’s School.

“We are continuing to monitor the situation and are working with Public Health England. This letter is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.”

“The children with a positive test are in Year 10 and were last in school at the end of last week."

She added: “On the advice of Public Health England students who have had close contact with this child need to self-isolate for 14 days. Public Health England are going to review the situation in the school in a meeting this afternoon and will be back in touch when we have further information or any change to this advice. All other members of the student’s household do not need to self-isolate unless they become symptomatic.

“The school will remain open for all other students during this period. The school has been working closely with our team at Public England South West and Dorset Council to ensure high standards of hygiene and social distancing are maintained and ensuring all the necessary measures are in place.”

A separate letter sent to parents and carers by Public Health England said: “We are aware that there have been a number of confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 involving pupils from Queen Elizabeth’s School.

“The school together with Public Health England and Dorset Council to identify close contacts of the case. All close contacts of the confirmed cases have been asked to self-isolate for 14 days.

“Please be assured, because of prompt action taken by the school, close contacts have been identified quickly. The school remains open to all other pupils. If you have not been specifically contacted about self-isolating you don’t need to do anything further at this time.

“If you have been asked to self-isolate this must be for the full 14 days, there is no need to book a test.

“The school will continue to work closely with Dorset Council and PHE to ensure high standards of hygiene and social distancing are met.”

Sam Crowe, director of public health for Dorset and BCP Councils said: “We are aware of confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne. The school are working closely with Public Health Dorset, Dorset Council and Public Health England South West to ensure that all necessary measures are being met.

“All close contacts of the confirmed case have been notified and advised to self-isolate for 14-days. Contacts of the confirmed case should get tested if they go on to develop symptoms. Even if people test negative, they must still self-isolate for 14 days.”