Wigan school CLOSED over coronavirus fears

Fred Longworth High School, in Tyldesley, has closed "with immediate effect", according to a statement posted on its Facebook page today (March 17).

The school said: "We have taken the decision to close the school to students with immediate effect pending PHE advice.

"More information will follow later today.

"In the meantime, any students already in school will be held in forms until we are certain that they can get home safely."

The closure of the school follows that of Tyldesley Primary School which shut on Sunday (March 15) for a deep clean.

This was due to a number of people linked with the school displaying symptoms at home "that are linked to the coronavirus." The school hopes to re-open on Wednesday (March 18).

Three people in the borough have tested positive for the COVID-19 strain of coronavirus.

The number of confirmed infections has reached 1,543 in the UK with 55 deaths.

Anyone who has recently returned from abroad or has a close family member who has done so should visit www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus.

Anyone in any doubt about symptoms can look on the NHS 111 website for guidance at https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19