A STAFF member at Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT) has tested positive for coronavirus, the college has revealed.

A BCoT spokesperson told The Gazette that, on Saturday September 26, the college was notified that a member of non-teaching staff had tested positive, and that this is the first confirmed case in the college.

They said that the college, located on Worting Road, immediately initiated robust plans for dealing with a confirmed case, following the advice from Public Health England and the Department for Education.

Principal Anthony Bravo said: ‘We understand the anxiety that this news will cause our college community and I want to reassure staff, parents and students that we are stringently following government guidelines.

"This appears to be an isolated case linked to a single source outside the college. It is important that we continue to provide education on-site to our students and in order to maintain this, I cannot stress enough the absolute necessity of maintaining social distancing at all times when not in college, wearing masks when in college communal areas and regularly washing hands. These measures really help to reduce the likelihood of spreading the virus.”

The chair of governors, Mike Howe, said he is absolutely assured that the management team are effectively implementing agreed procedures and that he is confident that the college remains safe for staff and students.

The BCoT spokesperson confirmed that a small number of students have been contacted individually and asked to self-isolate as a result of the confirmed case.

BCoT is a further education college which offers a variety of vocational courses.