Three teachers and one pupil at Hadleigh High School have tested positive for the Covid-19 virus, leading to Suffolk's director of public health to step up work in containing the spread in the town.

The confirmed cases has led to nearly 150 students and staff at the school, which is part of the South Suffolk Learning Trust, going into isolation

A spokesman for Suffolk County Council said Hadleigh High School confirmed the positive Covid-19 tests on Wednesday and 140 students and eight teachers went into isolation following guidance from Public Health England (PHE).

The spokesman said: "There have been four identified cases of Covid-19 at Hadleigh High School.

"There are a number of pupils and staff isolating as per PHE guidance."

Public Health East of England, are taking steps to contain the spread of the virus in the community.

Stuart Keeble, Suffolk's director of public health told the county's Health and Wellbeing Board this morning

"We have seen a steep increase in Babergh, which is now 101 cases per 100,000 population in the last seven days," he said. "That has been driven by cases at a Hadleigh care home and Hadleigh High School

"We are looking to do more work in the Hadleigh area more broadly."

Mr Keeble also pointed out that while Babergh, and Suffolk in general, had comparatively low infections rates, before lockdown Blackburn had gone into a Tier 2 restrictions for having a rate of 50 people per 100,000, and Suffolk was currently at 75 per 100,000

"It is positive we are sitting at the lower of rates but we need to be mindful we still need to be focusing on doing the right things in order to prevent the spread of the virus and continue to take it seriously."

[L][L+]Nub News reported on Monday Covid cases in Babergh had risen and it was subsequently confirmed 33 members of staff and 12 residents at Magdalen House care home, had tested positive for coronavirus.