A PRIMARY schoolboy and his family are self-isolating after he developed Covid-19 symptoms at the weekend.

Seven-year-old Cody McCormack was put in a coronavirus pod at University Hospital of North Durham on Saturday after he began experiencing a high temperature and breathing difficulties.

The youngster, from Sherburn Village, near Durham, is not one of the region’s confirmed cases, and though he has not been tested, his mother said doctors have told her they believe he has caught the infection.

The Northern Echo:

Cody became very ill over the weekend 

His mother, Ashleigh McCormack, 27, said: “He had a sore throat, he was coughing, he had a really high temperature, stomach pain, headache and raspy heavy breathing.

“I rang the response team and they said he matched the symptoms for the coronavirus.

“I rang back when he deteriorated, and they said he needs to be seen.

“We took him to A&E and they put him in this pod thing and they did some basic tests.

“He has not had the official test, but the doctors told me they think he has got it, so did the response team, and told me to self-isolate.”

Cody lives with his mother, and father, Ryan, 25, and his eight-year-old sister Dakota.

They have just returned from a family holiday in Calella where Cody celebrated his seventh birthday.

The Northern Echo:

Cody had been on holiday in Spain 

Now his aunt, cousins, grandparents and great grandparents are also self-isolating as they have been in close contact with Cody and his family.

On Friday, the year two pupil had a mild cough but still went to Sherburn Primary School because his family did not think it was so serious.

When they realised it could be the coronavirus relatives shared a post in Facebook community groups to warn people of the dangers, but faced a backlash from online trolls making unkind comments.

On Monday the school will be writing to parents and has issued a statement of its own on Facebook.

The Northern Echo:

Cody is in year two at Sherburn Primary School 

The school said: “It has come to our attention, through social media, that a pupil at school is being self-isolated because of symptoms which may relate to COVID 19.

“To the best of our knowledge this is precautionary, it is not yet a confirmed case, however this situation could change.

“Staff and governors would like to wish the child concerned a speedy recovery.

“We appreciate that many of you may have concerns, which are shared by school staff, relating to this suspected diagnosis and wish to assure you that the school will follow all Public Health England advice to keep your children safe. “There is no need for anyone who does not show symptoms of the virus to self-isolate.

“School will be open as normal on Monday.”

A spokesperson for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, said, “We can confirm there are currently no cases of children having tested positively for the Covid-19 infection in County Durham and Darlington.”