PARTS of a Carlisle secondary school are being deep-cleaned, as a teacher was confirmed to be one of Cumbria’s three new cases of coronavirus.

A Trinity School teacher was yesterday confirmed to have contracted the virus, officially named Covid-19.

Cumbria County Council has moved to reassure concerned parents that the unnamed teacher had not been in the building since Thursday.

A spokesman said: “The virus cannot survive outside of a body for more than 48 hours. Hence deep cleaning the whole school is not necessary.

“However, the school are deep cleaning some specific areas purely as a precaution.”

The school is staying open, following guidance from Public Health England.

But some parents are still concerned, with reports some have taken the decision to remove their children from the school to self-quarantine for 14 days.

However, the council says it is not yet in a position to confirm whether absences for this reason would be authorised or not.

Jeanette Bradley, a parent of two sixth form students at Trinity School, said she would have more reassured if the entire school was deep cleaned.

“We do not know who the virus may have been passed onto in the school,” Mrs Bradley said.

Mrs Bradley added that she would have liked to have seen a quicker decision on whether all student absences due to self-isolation would be authorised or not.

“Perhaps they are waiting for guidance on where they stand on this before they make a decision,” she said.

She also has concerns over the upcoming exam season.

“What measures are in place to ensure that students who are sitting GCSE and A levels can access their studies and be able to do their exams in a safe environment?” she said.

Cumbria’s Director of Public Health, Colin Cox, stressed that the teacher, who had been on holiday in Italy had followed the recommended procedures.

“The teacher had returned from Milan before the city was identified as a risk area, so has followed guidance appropriately and done absolutely nothing wrong in terms of being back in the school,” Mr Cox said.

Mr Cox underlined that he saw not indication at present that students needed to stay away from the school.

“For the majority of pupils there is no indication of increased risk.

“Pupils who have been directly taught by the teacher are being advised about the symptoms so they can monitor themselves,” he said.

Trinity School’s headteacher, Jo Hawkin, informed students, parents and staff of the situation yesterday afternoon.

In a letter sent to parents of students, Ms Hawkin underlined that the risk to anyone who has been in close contact with the teacher is question is “low”.

But she added it is “standard practice to share information” with anyone who has been in close contact with the teacher about the symptoms to look out for.

“We are working very closely with Public Health England and the Local Authority, following all advice given,” Ms Hawkin added.

A county council spokesman said that “contingency plans are in place” to maintain the delivery of education should any students need to self-isolate.

“This would involve using existing online systems to allow pupils to work from home,” the spokesman said.

The other two new cases of coronavirus confirmed yesterday were both in South Lakeland.