A SECONDARY school in Farnham has been closed amid coronavirus concerns after a group of students recently returned from a ski trip in northern Italy.

Students were sent home from All Hallows Catholic School and Sixth Form "as a precaution" on Wednesday afternoon, and told not to return until Monday (March 2).

It came after a sixth form student reportedly fell ill on Wednesday shortly after returning from a school trip to Sestriere in northern Italy, which is currently gripped by a coronavirus outbreak.

A school spokesman confirmed that no All Hallows students have yet tested positive for the deadly Covid19 virus, with the school closure believed to be a preventative measure.

As a Catholic school, All Hallows attracts students from across Surrey and Hampshire.

In a letter to parents, deputy headteacher Mark Baines said: "The Government has issued bespoke advice to schools on how to respond to the current concerns regarding the COVID-19 virus, as well as continually updating its public health advice. The school is following this advice.

"The latest advice (issued on February 25) is that individuals travelling from certain heavily affected areas (Hubei province, Iran, and specific quarantine areas of Italy and South Korea) should avoid contact with other people, even if they do not have symptoms.

"We are not aware of any staff or pupils that have travelled from these areas.

The Government advises that individuals travelling from other affected areas should self-isolate if they develop symptoms. They can otherwise continue to attend school and work as usual.

"The school encourages any individuals travelling from COVID-19 affected areas (as listed on the gov.uk website) who subsequently become unwell to remain at home and contact NHS 111 for further advice.

"All Hallows Catholic School has issued reminders of general hygiene advice to staff and students, which appear to be the best prevention against COVID-19 and other common respiratory infections.

"The school will, of course, adapt its approach should Government advice change.

"You will, of course, be aware that the school ski trip visited Sestriere in northern Italy last week.

"Some areas of northern Italy have been affected by COVID-19, and therefore, in line with Government guidance we are advising staff and students who travelled on the trip to remain at home if they experience flu-like symptoms.

"The school trip did not visit any of the specific quarantine areas within northern Italy, and therefore individuals should continue to attend work and school as usual, unless they feel unwell, in line with Government advice.

"We have written to parents to draw their attention to this advice.

"We will keep monitoring the Government’s advice and will take whatever actions are recommended.

"If you have any further concerns or queries regarding our approach to this then please don’t hesitate to contact me."

The school has promised to post updates online at allhallows.net

Although unconfirmed, the Herald also understands a patient at the centre of a previous coronavirus scare in Farnham has tested negative for the deadly Covid19 virus.

The Ferns GP practice at the Farnham Centre for Health was temporarily closed earlier this month, after it was discovered a patient had recently returned from one of the affected coronavirus areas.

Public Health England has refused to share the results of the test with the Herald – but staff at the centre have reportedly been informed the patient was given the all clear.