TWO members of staff at Queen Mary's College are self-isolating as a precautionary measure after recently returning from Italy.

The staff members, who went to Rome on a trip with the college before the current lockdown measures in the country were put in place, are "perfectly well" and teaching their students remotely, according to Ali Foss, Principal.

A number of students are also self-isolating, but there are no confirmed cases at the college and QMC are continuing to monitor the situation.

Ms Foss said that there is no risk at the college and that Public Health England have not advised them they need to deep clean or close.

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She told the Gazette: "We have got various people who have self-isolated because they got coughs and colds and things.

"There is no coronavirus [at the college].

"People are very nervous at this point and students with coughs and colds are choosing to self-isolate.

"It is business as usual here."

Ms Foss added that the two members of staff that are currently self-isolating are using remote technology to teleconference their classes, and have not got any symptoms.

They are "desperate" to get back to work but are remaining off until Monday to ensure that they do not have Covid-19.

The college have also increased their cleaning schedule and reminding students to wash their hands often.

At the time of writing, there were 596 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK. The most recent regional breakdown had not been released, but Wednesday's figure had a total of 13 cases in Hampshire.