THERE has been a confirmed coronavirus case in a Darlington College.

In a letter sent to parents Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in Vane Terrace confirmed there has been one positive case of Covid-19.

Posted on a Facebook group the letter said: "We have been advised that there has been a confirmed case of Covid-19 within the college.

"We have carried out a full risk assessment and identified all those who have been in close contact with the affected case and have recommended that they stay at home and self-isolate until 14 days after their last contact.

"Your child has not been identified as a close contact and therefore does not need to make any change to their usual routine, including college attendance."

Tim Fisher prinicpal of Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College said the college has 2,000 students and 180 staff.

He said: "There has been one confirmed case of Covid-19 at the College. We have worked very closely with the Public Health Authority to respond appropriately and have communicated our response with the College community.

"The control measures and precautions in place at the College include separation of year groups, compulsory wearing of face masks in corridors, a one way system, an enhanced cleaning regime, additional socially distanced independent study and social spaces and hand sanitising stations at the entrance to every classroom and point of entry to the building.

"I should like to reassure everyone connected with the College that we are strictly following the latest government guidance for colleges and that we shall continue to work closely with all relevant authorities."

One parent said: "On Monday 21st September there will be full capacity of 3,000 college teens and 100 staff members at Queen Elizabeth college Darlington, students will be attending via buses from all over the North East Towns and cities.

"At the moment they are staggering their days this week and next week for year 1 and year 2. The students have to wear a mask in the corridors and a one way system is in place, however when in classes no masks and no safe distancing is being applied. I was told this by my teenager who attends college there. 

"This is a disaster waiting to happen with Covid-19."