Six schools across County Durham will shut their doors to staff and pupils on Friday due to norovirus outbreaks.
Due to a high rate of sick children and staff, a number of schools have taken the decision to close to prevent the virus spreading further.
Consett Academy and North Durham Academy will both undergo a deep clean and will be closed until Monday.
St Bede's Comprehensive School and Byron Sixth Form in Peterlee had already been closed on Wednesday for a deep clean after a number of pupils fell ill.
The school reopened on Thursday but sent children home early due to a high level of absence and the site will stay closed on Friday.
Head of school Mrs Craik asked parents to "follow public health guidelines" and to not send any students to school on Monday if they had any sickness symptoms over the weekend.
St Andrew's Primary School in Bishop Auckland, Framwellgate Moor Primary School and Ebchester C of E Primary School will all also be closed on Friday so deep cleans can take place.
A number of schools around the North East had been affected by the virus with health officials from Public Health England North East called to work with dozens of schools and local authorities in the region.
Norovirus, also called the 'winter vomiting bug', causes vomiting and diarrhoea.
It can be very unpleasant but usually goes away in about two days.
The main symptoms are nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting. You may also have a high temperature of 38C or above, a headache, or aching arms and legs.
The NHS advice is to stay off work or school until at least 48 hours after the symptoms have stopped.
The NHS says: "Stay off school or work until the symptoms have stopped for two days. Also avoid visiting anyone in hospital during this time. This is when you're most infectious."
