A PRIMARY school near Hereford has partially shut due to a "concerning" rise in the number of Covid cases.

Staff and pupils have been testing positive for coronavirus at Lugwardine Primary Academy, just outside the city, its headteacher Richard Foster told parents.

He said it was after speaking to education and health officials at Herefordshire Council that the "difficult" decision was made to send years three and six home for the rest of the week, with learning moved online.

For those classes still at school, which has around 200 pupils, Mr Foster said children should be tested for Covid every day and parents should wear face coverings when picking up and dropping off their children.

Other measures the school, in Barneby Avenue, is taking include cancelling after school clubs on Wednesday and Thursday.

"I am writing to update on the concerning rise in the number of positive cases we are seeing across the school and the actions that we are now taking," he said.

"I have spoken with the assistant director of education Ceri Morgan today (Tuesday) and we have also been in contact with the outbreak hub and the governors of the school who have agreed to the steps we are taking."

He added: "I apologise for the inconvenience I know this will cause but also appreciate your support and understanding during this challenging and ever changing time.

"During my conversation with Mr Morgan today he shared the positive news that public health modelling suggests that after this wave the numbers are due to drop considerable; of course I appreciate this is not much help in the coming days.

"The guidance remains the same that where there is a positive case within a household, the remaining members of the household are required to test and, if negative, they may continue to attend school."

Case numbers across Herefordshire have been falling, with nearly 40 per cent fewer cases reported in the week to January 12 when compared to the week before.