A DURHAM secondary school has been closed for the rest of the week after several Covid-19 cases were reported.

Framwellgate School Durham was closed on Tuesday after 300 pupils along with eight teachers were sent home to self-isolate.

An email to parents said school authorities felt a "circuit breaker was the only option" following the spike in cases.

BREAKING: TWO more schools closed due to surge in Covid cases in County Durham

Parents have been told they will be contacted again on Friday if the closure is to continue next week.

Meanwhile, the school has moved to scotch rumours that it has 300 positive cases.

In a Facebook post it said: "We know that many parents and carers will be worried and this of course is a decision that we did not make lightly.

"We have been made aware however that there is some inaccurate information that is circulating on various Facebook pages.

"The school does not have 300 positive cases. Our positive cases are approximately 12 students and five staff. We currently have 300 students and eight teachers self-isolating having been identified as close contacts.

"Please can we ask you to think before you write on social media as this causes undue stress and worry for many of our parents and carers and is certainly not true."

Latest figures have shown County Durham to be among the five areas in England with the biggest week-on-week rises in Covid case rates (80.9 to 193.7).