Children from eight Cornish primary schools, including one on the Lizard Peninsula, are self-isolating after a music teacher tested positive for Covid-19.

Cornwall Council confirmed that a teacher with the Cornish Music Service Trust has received a positive test result for the virus.

As a result a "small number" of pupils from eight schools the teacher visits are self-isolating, in line with government guidance.

Children from Manaccan Primary School on the Lizard Peninsula, part of the 18-school Southerly Point Co-operative Trust, are among those affected, the Packet has been told locally.

The schools advised to self-isolate have not been named by the council, but all have been notified.

Public Health England, Cornwall Council and Cornwall Music Service Trust are said to be working together to support staff and pupils.

Rachel Wigglesworth, interim director of public health for Cornwall Council, said in a joint statement: “We are confident in the health and safety plan produced by the Cornwall Music Service Trust, which is in line with the latest Public Health guidance, to enable the continuation of music lessons in schools.

“The plan includes the full use of PPE, maintaining social distancing and states regular hand sanitisation.

"The Cornwall Music Service Trust have acted quickly in response to the confirmed case and we will continue working with them to provide advice and guidance in line with our Local Outbreak Management Plan.”

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Cases have also been reported in recent days at Penair, Budehaven, St Breock Primary, Bodriggy, Callington, Illogan, Portreath and Poltair schools.

This afternoon Cornwall Council announced that Budehaven Community School in Bude was having to close after a number of staff tested positive for Covid-19, in addition to a small number of pupils and family members.

The knock-on effect is that several additional members of staff have been instructed to self-isolate on the advice of Public Health England - and as a result the secondary school does not have enough teaching staff to lead classes.

All teaching is being moved to a remote live curriculum for all year groups - something that has already been operating in years seven, 11, 12 and 13 for a number of days.

It follows a spike in cases in the Bude area recently.

Rachel Wigglesworth, Interim Director of Public Health for Cornwall Council said: “The school has seen an increase in the number of cases, which is a direct reflection of what we are seeing the community around the school and have made the difficult decision to close temporarily to ensure the safety of staff, pupils and families.

“Whilst we know that this may cause childcare issues with children at home unexpectedly, this decision has not been taken lightly.

“We all need to follow the guidance from Public Health – it is our responsibility and our responses, which are key to keeping numbers down here in Cornwall in our communities and our schools.”

The school will continue to review the situation over the next few days and hope to resume their normal provision as soon as possible.

Budehaven Community School will continue to remain open to vulnerable children and children of key workers who are in year groups that are not currently self-isolating.