Coronavirus scare at Prince George and Charlotte's school as four students are placed in self-isolation
Around four students at Prince George and Princess Charlotte's school have been placed in self-isolation over fears that they may have contracted coronavirus.
The children attend Thomas's Battersea school in Southwest London and were sent home to await the test results. The report comes as at least 13 schools across the UK shut their doors over the fears of the virus spreading. Many schools have asked staff and pupils to stay at home after returning from ski trips in northern Italy where many towns in the Lombardy and Veneto regions are on lockdown.
Students at the school had recently taken a trip to northern Italy. Two students returned from the trip after displaying flu-like symptoms though there is no suggestion that the royal children have been exposed to the virus.
A Spanish newspaper, El Confidencial, published a statement that read, "Like all schools, we are taking very seriously the potential risks related to the spread of COVID-19 and to this end we are following the government's instructions to the letter on infection prevention and case management in which it is suspected that some staff member or students exposed to the virus or showing any symptoms."
"We currently have a very small number of students who have been evaluated and these individuals currently remain in their homes waiting to receive the results of their exams," the statement read. It added that all parents had been informed and updated and information was being shared regularly.
The school shared that they would "preserve the confidentiality of staff and students and would not comment on specific cases."
More than 30 schools across the country are in a state of fear and panic after children came back from ski trips. However, a school in Swansea is ignoring pleas from parents to shut down the school and have asked students to come in unless they have the flu.
Sports fixtures have also come under threat as Ireland's rugby match against Italy was postponed amid fears over Italian fans carrying the virus to Dublin.