A FURTHER two members of staff at a Somerset primary school have tested positive for Covid-19.

It takes to eight the total number of staff at Puriton Primary School who have the virus.

A "very small number of pupils" have also tested positive for the coronavirus.

The school was closed yesterday (Monday) for a three-day period and has undergone a deep clean.

In a letter to parents today (Tuesday), headteacher Jacqui Keir-Bucknall said: "During this current three-day period of closure, the school has been ‘fogged’ and deep cleaned again and yesterday our Covid procedures were reviewed in a meeting with senior officials from Public Health, Somerset Education, John Wells (chief executive of Clevedon Learning Trust) and Nick Tait (chairman of governors).

"We are ready for the school to reopen on Thursday 26th November as planned, starting with Ruby and Diamond classes."

Referring to the latest positive tests, she added: "I have shared all the details with Public Health England and have confirmed that there are no other close contacts and no changes are needed to any of the class isolation periods above.

"One or two parents have asked if any children have also tested positive for Covid-19.

"As you can appreciate, I cannot discuss specific cases, but over the past weeks I have been made aware that a very small number of pupils in our school have had positive test results.

"Each time, I have contacted PHE to ensure the correct actions are taken and these children have been told to isolate.

"Fortunately, the children are fine, reflecting perhaps, the government information that although children can get coronavirus it’s usually less serious.

"Like some adults, children may not show symptoms yet be carrying the virus and yesterday PHE said that the most prevalent place for transmissions to occur is in the family home.

"This is why it is so important that we all continue to follow the guidance and postpone all family gatherings, playdates, sleepovers etc.

"We cannot eliminate all risks of transmission but we can all play our part in helping to minimise the chances of the virus spreading and so keep one another as safe as possible."