FIVE more schools have reported positive coronavirus cases and advised pupils and staff to self-isolate.

The latest in the area to be affected are Merley First School, Queens Park Infant Academy in Bournemouth, Gryphon School in Sherborne, Shaftesbury School and Williams Barnes Primary in Sturminster Newton.

Hundreds of pupils across Dorset are currently home learning with at least 40 schools affected.

LISTED: The schools affected by coronavirus in December

The schools are working closely with Public Health Dorset, Dorset Council and Public Health England South West.

Each school has notified close contacts of confirmed cases and infomred them of the need to self-isolate for 14 days.

Sam Crowe, Director of Public Health for Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Councils said: "Contacts should get tested if they go on to develop symptoms. Even if people test negative, they must still self-isolate for 14 days.”