‘A FEW’ Eton College students are self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus.

Following their pupils’ return from the summer holidays, the college said students took private tests on arrival for the virus as to ‘not put additional pressure on the NHS’.

Year 13 pupils returned to the college on Thursday (September 10).

Eton confirmed ‘a few’ of their 1,300 students were found to have Covid-19 and they are now placed in isolation.

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The movements of the pupils who caught the virus will be traced by staff so they can track down the infected students’ recent contacts.

Those who came into contact will also have to be tested and self-isolate while they wait for their results.

In a statement, the college said: “Acting on the advice of senior health professionals, Eton took the decision to test all pupils and staff for Covid-19 on their return to school, having carefully assessed the risks of transmission within our specific boarding context.

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“In deciding to test, Eton has been determined not to put additional pressure on the NHS. Therefore, a contract has been taken out with a private provider and the school is covering all costs.

“On their return to the school, a few asymptomatic pupils have tested positive and the school is following Health Protection Agency advice in relation to their isolation and the tracing of their contacts.

“Other pupils continue in school in accordance with the appropriate social distancing and other mitigating measures we have put in place.”

The college did not confirm which houses were affected – but said parents have been notified of the outbreak.