Dronfield school announces coronavirus closure

Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School is to remain closed ‘until further notice,’ according to a statement posted on its website yesterday.

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Head teacher Martyn Cooper said: “It is with great regret and sadness that we have taken the decision to close the school until further notice. “Following the Government announcement today of who should self-isolate or ensure social distance, we have analysed the staffing and concluded that there is a significant number of staff who will not be able to come to school.

“This means that it will not be possible to function safely and securely as a school, nor provide the appropriate provision that is required.

“We are deeply apologetic for this as we know the inconvenience this will cause.

“Work will be set for students and there will be communication during the day on Tuesday to provide further details.

“We wish you the best of health in these unprecedented and difficult times.”

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Around 250,000 people will die in Britain as a result of the coronavirus outbreak unless more draconian measures are adopted to protect the population, scientists have warned.

The Imperial College Covid-19 response team - which has been advising ministers - said that even with the ‘social distancing’ plans set out by the Government, the health system will be ‘overwhelmed many times over’.

In its latest report, it said the only ‘viable strategy’ was a Chinese-style policy of ‘suppression’ involving the social distancing of the entire population.