Three schools and two pre-schools have closed in Cornwall after the number of cases of positive Covid-19 cases increased.

Cornwall Council has confirmed that the schools made the decision to close but has not indicated where they are.

However, Pondhu Primary School in St Austell is known to be one that has decided to close its doors temporarily due to a spike in Covid-19 cases.

The school states on its website that the school will be closed all this week with plans to reopen next Monday, July 5th.

Many other schools across Cornwall have also had to send home entire classes and year groups after positive cases of Covid-19 were recorded.

As well as pupils and students a number of school staff including teachers have also been recording positive Covid-19 tests which have left schools short-staffed.

In a statement, Cornwall Council said:

"Cornwall Council's public health team continues to support schools and families. It is down to individual schools to make decisions on how to deal with any positive Covid cases within their settings, based on national guidance.

"There are currently a number of year groups, bubbles, and partial year groups that are self-isolating and home-schooling due to positive Covid-19 cases.

"There are also three schools and two pre-schools that have taken the decision to temporarily close."

In secondary schools and colleges students and staff have to take regular lateral flow tests at home to monitor whether they are testing positive for Covid-19. Staff in primary schools are also having regular tests.

The results of the tests are recorded through the NHS website to help monitor outbreaks and assist with track and trace.

Once recording a positive test result people are encouraged to take a PCR test at one of the many test centres around Cornwall.

The number of Covid-19 cases in Cornwall has increased significantly in recent weeks and public health officials are encouraging people to continue to follow the guidance.

People are urged to follow the rules of hands, face, and space as well as to ensure that if they meet with other people they do so in well-ventilated areas.

Public health officials are also encouraging people to get vaccinated when possible.

Last week all over 18s were able to book their vaccinations and at the weekend the mass vaccination sites at Stithians and Royal Cornwall Showgrounds were offering drop-in vaccination sessions to help increase the number of people vaccinated.

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