A SCHOOL has been forced to close for the day due to a suspected outbreak of norovirus. 

A letter to parents of children at Delius Special School, Barkerend Road, said: "Unfortunately we have a viral outbreak in school, it is suspected but not confirmed norovirus.

"As a precautionary measure due to the vulnerability of our pupils and to allow us to fully deep clean the school the school will be closed to pupils on Monday 3rd December 2018."

The school was due to undergo a deep clean over the weekend, with all resources being cleaned today. 

The school is due to open as normal tomorrow (December 4). 

The letter, from Headteacher Sally Joy, added: "If your child shows any flu, sickness, diarrhoea or high temperature symptoms please take them to the doctors and inform the doctor that the school they attend has suspect [sic] norovirus."

The school has also asked that any children displaying those symptoms are kept at home for 48 hours once they have stopped. 

Meanwhile, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has said it is seeing routine numbers of norovirus. 

Stacey Hunter, chief operating officer at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Norovirus is one of the most common stomach bugs in the UK, especially in winter and we had a rise in cases of norovirus within the hospital throughout November.

"The virus spreads very easily so we advise people not to visit people in hospital if they have vomiting and diarrhoea symptoms. Wash your hands regularly if you’re ill to reduce your risk of passing it on.”

NHS England’s advice for most people with norovirus is to treat yourself or your child at home and you should start to feel better after a day or two. For more information visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/norovirus/.