THREE County Durham schools have now closed following a surge in Covid-19 cases, it has been confirmed.

Earlier today we reported that 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.

READ MORE: Framwellgate School Durham closes after Covid cases reported 

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."

It has now emerged that Lanchester Endowed Parochial Primary School has posted on Durham County Council's website it closed on Wednesday and will re-open on Monday, June 28.

The reason for closure was given as "due to health and safety issues around increased Covid cases and numbers needing to isolate."

The school has moved to remote learning in the meantime.

St Joseph's RCVA Primary School in Stanley closed on Tuesday and will reopen on Monday morning.

The reason given for close was "increased Covid cases and deep clean of school.

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).

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