CORONAVIRUS cases have been confirmed at two of the district's four high schools.

Both Queen Elizabeth High School in Hexham and Ponteland High School have moved to reassure parents after pupils tested positive for the Covid-19 strain.

At QEHS, just one pupil had tested positive. In a letter to parents, the school’s headteacher, Graeme Atkins, said the school was working with Public Health England to monitor the situation.

He wrote: “We have been advised by Public Health England that there has been a confirmed case of Covid-19 within the school. We know that you may find this concerning but we are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England.

"This letter is to inform you of the current situation and to provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus will be a mild illness.

"The small number of children who have been in direct prolonged contact with the confirmed case will have received an individual letter and will be staying at home for 14 days. The school remains open and your child should continue to attend if they remain well.”

Ponteland High School headteacher Kieran McGrane also wrote to parents after there were reports of misinformation spreading among them.

He wrote: “This has been a particularly busy week especially as we have been dealing with our first confirmed cases of students testing positive for Covid-19.

“I am well aware that this will have caused an increase in anxiety for parents but I want to reassure you by sharing some facts and dispelling some misinformation that I understand is circulating amongst parents.

“Since we returned to school on September 2 we have had eight confirmed cases amongst students; this represents 0.5 per cent of our student population.

“This is a tiny proportion of our students but I do understand that each new case brings further worry and anxiety for parents.

“We have no cases of positive staff tests.

“We have had at least one positive case in every year group except years 7 and 8.

“When we have a confirmed case we identify close contacts - staff and students - who are then advised to self isolate; parents are then contacted by phone and receive a follow up letter to that effect.

“At this time, we are not isolating full year groups.”