A school has been named as a place of low risk for contracting Covid-19 following a positive test there.

Ballakermeen High School told 10 families to isolate last week after contact tracing identified the school as being potentially at risk.

The government has not said whether the positive test was from a school pupil or member of staff.

The government is now asking parents of BHS pupils, or those who have been in close contact with children from the school, to get their children tested for Covid-19 if they develop symptoms of the virus.

Any pupils who were present on Friday, February 12, on the number 31 bus from 8am to 8.45am and from 3.45pm to 4.15pm, or were at BHS from 8.45am to 3.45pm could be affected.

Director of public health Dr Henrietta Ewart said: ’It is important to stress that the risk to pupils, school staff, and the bus drivers is low.

’If, however, anyone from the school or the number 31 bus who was present on Friday goes on to develop symptoms of Covid-19, they are encouraged to self-isolate and contact the Covid-111 service immediately. The service is open from 8am to 8pm each day. If you do not have symptoms, there is no need to contact 111.’

On Friday, Education Minister Dr Alex Allinson announced during the coronavirus briefing that the school would open this week but that any pupils who show symptoms must stay home and self-isolate and phone 111.

Symptoms of Covid-19 include: a temperature of more than 37.8C; a new and persistent cough - this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (for people who usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual); anosmia - this is the loss of or a change in someone’s normal sense of smell, which can also affect sense of taste as the two are closely linked; a shortness of breath.

Dr Allinson said on Friday: ’We are working closely with headteacher Adrienne Burnett and the contact tracing team to fully understand the level of risk at Ballakermeen High School, which has been determined as low.

’We are grateful for the advice received and the measures put in place, and will keep the situation under review while liaising with the contact tracing team.’