A CHILTON Trinity pupil who came back and developed cold symptoms after going on a school skiing trip to northern Italy has reportedly been told to self-isolate as a precautionary measure over coronavirus fears.

The Mercury understands the 13-year-old pupil attended a school trip to Folgaria in Italy between February 14 and 21 and shortly after returning had a cough and runny nose.

The trip included around 40 students and staff, who travelled by ferry and coach to the resort.

Because the pupil developed the cough and cold not long after returning home, the family phoned Public Health England and were told the pupil should self-isolate along with her older sister who had also developed cold symptoms.

The family said a doctor came out to their home wearing PPE clothing to take a swab test from the pupil on Wednesday, February 26 and they should have the test results within the next two or three days.

Folgaria is in a 'Category 2' area as defined by the Government.

This means the advice from Public Health England states that visitors returning from this part of Northern Italy do not need to undertake any special measures so long as they do not develop symptoms. If they do, they should self-isolate and call NHS 111.

Another Chilton Trinity parent, whose child was also on the Folgaria trip contacted the Bridgwater Mercury, urging parents to remain calm and rational.

"My child was on the school trip and had a cold when they went," the parent said.

"The children were on that coach for a long time so it could have passed on that way, we don't know. I would urge parents to remain calm until it is proven to be a case of coronavirus."

A spokesman for Chilton Trinity School said: "Safety is always paramount at Chilton Trinity School and we have been and continue to be in contact with Public Health England Department for Health and the Department for Education for advice concerning COVID-19 (the Coronavirus).  

"We cannot comment on individual cases, but as per the latest advice, if anyone starts to develop COVID-19 symptoms of a fever, cough and shortness of breath and thinks they may have been at risk, contact NHS 111 for advice.

"We encourage everyone to follow simple basic hygiene measures, which can help prevent virus and colds spread. This includes washing your hands regularly with soap and water, wiping down surfaces and using a tissue when sneezing or coughing and throwing it away - the familiar 'catch it, bin it, kill it'."

Earlier this week Crispin School in Street, Somerset, said several students who had recently travelled to Northern Italy had been sent home as a 'precautionary measure' following advice from the Department of Health.

The Government has issued advice stating any visitors and returning travellers from the UK from the Wuhan or Hubei provinces in China, and Daegu and Cheongdo in the Republic of Korea - as well as any Italian town under containment measures should immediately self-isolate, even if asymptomatic and call NHS 111.

The Government also states that visitors and travellers who are showing symptoms from Cambodia, China, northern Italy, Japan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam should self-isolate and call NHS 111.

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

As of February 26, a total of 7,132 people have been tested in the UK, of which 7,119 were confirmed negative and 13 positive.