A pupil at a large Gateshead secondary school has tested positive for coronavirus.
St Thomas More Catholic School, which has over 1,500 students, has notified parents that the Year 9 pupil had caught the virus.
However, the Blaydon school's headteacher told parents that pupils should return to class unless they, or someone they live with, displays symptoms.
"I am writing to inform you that there has been a confirmed case of Covid-19 within Year nine here at St Thomas More Catholic School," wrote headteacher Jonathan Parkinson, in a letter sent on Friday.
"I can assure you that we have followed all guidance issued to us by the local health protection team and acted accordingly.
"We are confident that we have identified the students who have come into contact with the confirmed case, and the parents/guardians of all affected students have been contacted.
"The students affected will not return to school until they have received a negative Covid-19 test result and are feeling well."
The letter adds that "all other students should continue to attend school as normal", unless they or someone they live with has symptoms, tests positive, or is advised not to by Track and Trace.
It is the latest case to hit the North East's schools in the first week since pupils returned following months away.
At least five Sunderland schools partially closed on Wednesday due to cases, while youngsters have tested positive at schools in Blyth and Whitley Bay.
On Thursday, two County Durham schools confirmed students had tested positive.
One, St Bede's Catholic School and Sixth Form Centre, has advised the whole of Year 8 to self-isolate.
And despite assurances from the school, the dad of St Thomas More pupil told ChronicleLive: "All of the parents are worried, and some have been crying as their kids have asthma.
"We are all really scared."
