Derbyshire school responds to rumours pupil is being tested for coronavirus

Keith Hirst from Brookfield Community School told the Derbyshire Times a pupil at the school who has recently returned from a holiday to Italy was tested for the virus after feeling unwell.

But Mr Hirst confirmed the school does not have a confirmed case, despite some social media posts suggesting otherwise.

He said: “We had a student that has been on holiday over the half-term in Italy in the non-affected region who felt unwell. The parents decided to have him tested.

“That’s where the rumour [on social media] originated from.”

Some parents with children at the school took to social media on Thursday to raise concerns over the rumours which were circulating.

One woman posted on Facebook that she told her son to come home from Brookfield after the a school receptionist confirmed over the phone that “they are testing a child who was in school this week for coronavirus”.

The woman claimed she was told that the child in question’s test results would not be available until tomorrow (February 28).

She added: “In my mind school should close.”

On the rumours, Mr Hirst said: “It’s really, really not helpful.”

He also said the school had been “at pains” to follow NHS guidelines, as well as those provided by the Department for Education, and that the affected student will remain at home until test results are received.

A separate statement from Brookfield said: “The school has received advice from NHS England that there is no risk to students or staff at Brookfield Community School, therefore the school will remain open as normal.

“Please be reassured that the school is in regular contact with the NHS and relevant authorities and will take all precautions and actions as recommended by them.”

Mr Hirst confirmed parents would receive a statement updating them on Thursday afternoon (28 February).

This comes as Burbage Primary School in Buxton is closed for today and tomorrow after the parent of a pupil tested positive for coronavirus.