A teacher at a Wimbledon school has been diagnosed with coronavirus.

A letter sent to parents - and seen by the Wimbledon Times - from head master of Wimbledon College, Adrian Laing, said: "Public Health England has contacted Wimbledon College today (March 1) to inform us that a member of staff is being treated for confirmed novel coronavirus following recent travel to Italy.

"We have been working closely with PHE and Merton Council to understand the implications of this for our school."

Mr Laing added that the staff member was last in school on the morning of February 25 and has not had contact with pupils since the beginning of this half term.

"However, as some staff members are now classed as close contacts of a confirmed case of COVID-19 they are required to self-isolate as a precautionary measure for 14 days," he added in the letter.

"Unfortunately, this means we will have to temporarily close the school due to low staffing numbers."

It is planned to reopen the school on Tuesday, March 10. A deep clean of the school will also be carried out.

"PHE has advised us that at this current time there is no increased risk to the pupil population as a result of this case and their families do not need to self-isolate," the letter finished.

"The College, working together with PHE and Merton Council, will keep you updated if the situation changes.

"Thank you for your understanding at this time."

Merton Council have now issued a joint statement with Wimbledon College.

Director of Public Health for Merton Council, Dagmar Zeuner, said: “I’d like to reassure people that the risk to the general public remains low and Merton Council is working with health colleagues to do everything we can to stop the virus spreading and ensure the people of Merton are protected.

“If you have not been contacted by Public Health England as a close contact of the confirmed case you do not need to take any action at this time.

“Good hygiene is the best prevention and there are some simple steps you can take to protect you and your family by washing your hands regularly and thoroughly and if you cough, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue.

“If you have recently been to one of the affected areas and are feeling unwell, you should phone the NHS 111 helpline for further advice straight away – please don’t go to your doctor or a hospital. There’s lots of advice on how people can protect themselves online at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus”.

Dr Yvonne Young, consultant in communicable disease control, PHE London, added: “Public Health England is contacting people who had close contact with one of the latest confirmed cases of COVID-19.

"The case is a member of staff at Wimbledon College, and became infected whilst in Italy.

"Close contacts will be given health advice about symptoms and emergency contact details to use if they become unwell in the 14 days after contact with the confirmed case.

"This tried and tested method will ensure we are able to minimise any risk to them and the wider public.

“We have been in discussion with Wimbledon College which has taken the decision to close as a number of staff are self-isolating due to being close contacts of this confirmed case.

"My team have assessed the risk and confirmed that there is currently no information to suggest that there is an increased health risk to any pupils or their families at the college and no recommendation for them to self-isolate.

"We will update the college and parents if the situation changes in any way.”