A STUDENT and a staff member at Colchester Sixth Form College have tested positive for coronavirus, it has been confirmed.

Public Health England have been notified.

The college, in North Hill, said as a result five other students have been told to self-isolate as a precautionary measure.

In a statement the college said: "This week a student and a member of staff at the College have reported that they have had tests and been identified as positive for Covid-19.

"Following liaison with Public Health England (Essex Contact Tracing), and in a context of the current arrangements in place at the College, just five other students are now isolating for the required period as a precautionary measure.

"The cases are ‘unrelated’ – i.e. the identified cases are, separately, drawn from the external environment.

"The individuals are within completely different small ‘bubble arrangements’ at the college.

"The level of infections at the college continues to be below the local community level."

It is the second time cases at the college have been confirmed.

Last week one student was confirmed as having tested positive for the virus.

The news was announced in an email to parents from principal Ian McNaughton, which was seen by the Gazette.

Public Health England have been notified and have advised the college, in North Hill, no further action is necessary.

This is because the student in question was last in college four days before developing symptoms.