Two members of staff and two pupils are being tested for coronavirus – but their South Hams college is insisting it is following Government health advice by staying open.

Kingsbridge Community College issued a statement on Wednesday, February 26, declaring that the four were undergoing testing and were staying away from school, but that Public Health England had not advised the school should close.

One of the staff members and both of the pupils had recently returned from a school ski trip to Northern Italy.On Friday, February 28, a spokesperson for the school confirmed they were still awaiting test results and continuing communications with Public Health England.If the results come back negative, and advice from the advisory body remains remains unchanged, the students and staff will return to the college "as normal".The school has not speculated whether it will have to close, but in a statement to parents and pupils warned: " If the test results are returned with a positive diagnosis we would immediately inform Public Health England and the Local Authority who would action an immediate risk assessment and recommend the official next steps. "We continue to take the advice from the experts."No other students have reported symptoms or had to self-isolate.

The initial statement read: "The advice from Public Health England is that both students and staff who visited the Fieneve Valley in Italy can continue to attend school as normal.

"The area is in Category 2, which means that travellers do not need to undertake any special measures, but if they develop symptoms they should self-isolate and call NHS 111."

The statement from principal Tina Graham added: “I am acutely aware of the conjecture and speculation that is currently visible on social media.

“Please be assured that in between published communications we are in constant contact with the health experts that are the only body that can advise us at this time."