POSITIVE cases of coronavirus have today been confirmed at Pedmore Technology College, Stourbridge, and Ellowes Hall Sports College in Lower Gornal.

Dudley Council has confirmed both schools, which are run by the Invictus Education Trust, have cases of Covid-19.

They are the latest in a string of cases confirmed at schools across the Dudley borough.

Members of staff are believed to be affected at Pedmore Technology College in Grange Lane but the school, trust or council would not confirm any further details "due to patient confidentiality".

Councillor Ruth Buttery, Dudley Council's cabinet member for children and young people, simply said: “Dudley Council is working closely with all education providers in the borough to keep people safe during the pandemic.

"Parents and carers can be assured their childcare provider, school, or college will contact them should they need to take any action.

“When a case is confirmed that relates to an education setting they are reported to the Department for Education, which works with the setting to ensure appropriate and proportionate measures are taken.

“We are continuing to do all we can to keep children and young people safely back in education where they belong and a part of this work is also ensuring children do not unnecessarily miss important time at childcare, school or college.

“People can continue to help reduce the risk of transmission of the virus by following government guidance, including social distancing and practising good hand hygiene. It is vital that anyone who is symptomatic self-isolates and seeks a test.”

Yesterday it was revealed that a student at Kinver High School, also part of the Invictus multi academy trust, had tested positive for the virus.

A spokesman for the trust said it was following Department for Education guidance and added: "Our priority is ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff across all our schools."

Other schools in the Dudley borough that have been dealing with confirmed cases of the virus include: The Wordsley School, Wordsley; Ridgewood High School, Wollaston; Sledmere Primary School, Dudley; Red Hall Primary School, Lower Gornal; The Link Academy, Netherton; Hurst Green Primary School, Halesowen; Bishop Milner Catholic College, Dudley; Kingswinford Academy; Oldswinford Hospital school, The Dormston School, Sedgley; Crestwood School, Kingswinford; Windsor High School, Halesowen; Leasowes High School, Halesowen; Withymoor Primary School, Brierley Hill; Northfield Road Primary School, Dudley; Dudley College of Technology and Halesowen College.