Staff and pupils at a British primary school are in shock after a headteacher died days after being diagnosed with coronavirus.
Roose Primary School and its nursery, in Cumbria, will close completely on Monday, even to children of essential workers, out of respect for tragic Wendy Jacobs who passed away at the weekend, reports LancashireLive.
Chairman of governors Fred Chatfield, said the death is a "huge loss" and urged parents to keep their kids at home as the disease continues to spread.
The Barrow-in-Furness headteacher was cared for at Furness General Hospital after contracting Covid-19.
Writing to parents on Sunday, Mr Chatfield said: "It is with great sadness that I write to inform you that our Headteacher Mrs Jacobs passed away today.
"This is devastating news for our school and nursery community and all our thoughts and sympathies are with her family.
"We are all in shock, and given these exceptional circumstances we have taken the decision to close the school and nursery fully tomorrow to all pupils, including those of essential workers.
"I am sure you will understand that opening the school and nursery is not an option.
"We would recommend that all children we kept at home tomorrow.
"This is a huge loss to our school, nursery and our community and I will be in touch as soon as possible to explain how we will celebrate Mrs Jacobs' life and contribution."
Official figures from the Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England, released on Sunday morning, showed 78,340 people had been tested for coronavirus in the UK, with 5,683 patients confirmed positive.
Boris Johnson has said the Government is ready to impose tougher restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus if people do not follow the guidance on social distancing.
The Prime Minister's warning came as the latest official figures showed the number of people across the UK who have died after testing positive for Covid-19 has risen by 48 to 281, including patients aged 18 and 102 – thought to be the youngest and oldest victims so far.
