A RUTHIN secondary school is believed to be the first school in Wales to shut in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Ysgol Brynhyfryd has identified 23 staff that fall into the vulnerable category.

There is also a further five staff that have partners/spouses that are classed as 'highly vulnerable'.

As a result, the school said in the 'interest of health and wellbeing of staff, pupils and the community', they have no alternative but to close.

In a statement, headteacher Geraint Wyn Parry said: “I believe we now have no alternative but to close the school to all pupils with effect from tomorrow [March 18] morning.

"I believe it would be wholly inappropriate to place these vulnerable staff at risk, or to increase class sizes to compensate for absent staff and in turn increase the chances of wider infection."

Denbighshire has had no confirmed cases of coronavirus, while Conwy has one case and two people tested positive on Anglesey.

A 68-year-old patient with underlying health conditions at Wrexham Maelor Hospital was the first person in Wales to die after contracting the virus on Monday, March 16.

A second person, in their 90s, has since died in Swansea.

The closure comes amid national debate over whether schools should remain open while large gatherings are cancelled across the UK.

Mr Parry said that while the school is closed, staff will continue to work, including setting online resources, marking and providing feedback to pupils.

"I appreciate that this is not the same as face-to face contact, but please be reassured that we will do all that we can to support our pupils through this difficult time," he said.

“In the meantime, I do appreciate that the decision to close will have profound effects for many of our families, and I thank you in advance for your understanding and co-operation with this.”

A total of 13 new cases have tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 149 - although the true number of cases is likely to be higher.