South Ockendon school closed after family member “shows symptoms of Coronavirus”

A THURROCK school has closed and is set to be disinfected as a member of the school community has “shown symptoms of coronavirus”.

Bonnygate Primary School in Arisdale Avenue, South Ockendon will be closed on Wednesday whilst they “deep clean” the school.

In a letter sent to parents today (and see by YT), the school explained that they have “been made aware of a suspected case within the school…and took advice from the Local Authority (Thurrock Council) and Department for Education.”

The letter goes on to inform parents that the person has been to “a category one area and are now showing symptoms of the virus.”

The school has decided to close on Wednesday (March 4th) for a deep clean and “will reopen on Thursday”.

Earlier in that day, photographs merged on social media of what appeared to be ambulance staff in attendance at a house near the school, in white chemical suits.

Cllr Andrew Jefferies, Cabinet Member for education, said: “A pupil attended Bonnygate Primary School yesterday whose family had recently visited Italy and became unwell.

“As a precautionary measure the school will close on Wednesday, 4 March, to undertake a deep clean exercise to ensure the safety, health and wellbeing of all pupils.

“This is purely a precautionary measure as there is currently no confirmed case of coronavirus. The deep clean will only take one day and the school is expected to be fully re-open on Thursday.”

YT contacted Bonnygate Primary School but they stated they were not available for a comment.