LABOUR MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle has been tested for coronavirus.

Speaking to The Argus, the MP for Kemptown said: “I took a test yesterday. I should get the results back on Monday.

“Until then I’m going to do plenty of reading and work around the house.

“Hopefully it will all come back clear.”

He added: “I’m showing some symptoms, but not many. You always have aches and pains.”

Mr Russell-Moyle said the testing process had been swift and well-managed.

He said: “They took a swab from my mouth and nose.

“It was decided they would come and visit me because I had been in contact with a confirmed case.”

Mr Russell-Moyle explained he had been come into contact with the Government’s health minister Nadine Dorries, who tested positive for the virus earlier this week.

The news came as a school sent a group of pupils home after a sixth former was advised to self-isolate by medical authorities.

Public Health England is contacting people it believes have come into contact with confirmed coronavirus patients.

The Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA) confirmed the news in a letter to parents.

In the message, headteacher Bob Speight said: “We have been informed that a sixth former at BACA College and their family have been advised by the medical authorities to self-isolate as a precaution having reported feeling unwell.

“They are not a confirmed case, but as a precaution we have asked a number of sixth formers in the student’s close friendship group to go home and contact 111 to seek advice as to whether they should self-isolate too.”

The school is now taking steps to prevent the possible spread of the virus.

Mr Speight said: “Like all schools, we are working closely with the authorities and adhering to Public Health England and Department for Education advice for schools and colleges.

“Brighton and Hove City Council’s current, clear, advice is that schools should remain open and parents should ensure their children attend school unless they’re unwell or have been advised to self-isolate.”

Covid-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus called coronavirus.

The UK Chief Medical Officers have raised the risk to the public from low to moderate.

Health professionals are working to contact anyone who has been in close contact with people who have coronavirus.

The symptoms are a cough, a high temperature and shortness of breath.

Yesterday saw the largest overnight leap in the number of UK cases yet as the figure shot from 373 to 456 in 24 hours.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty also confirmed two further deaths , taking the total death toll in the UK to eight.

Following this, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Covid-19 a pandemic... “the worldwide spread of a new disease”.

Director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “The WHO has been assessing this outbreak around the clock and we’re deeply concerned by the alarming levels of the spread and severity and by the alarming levels of inaction.

“We have therefore made the assessment that Covid-19 can be characterised as a pandemic.

“This is the first pandemic caused by a coronavirus and we have never before seen a pandemic that can be controlled.

“We cannot say this loudly enough or clearly enough.

“All countries can still change the course of this pandemic.

“We’re in this together, to do the right things with calm and protect the citizens of the world.”

The Green Party has cancelled its conference in Brighton over coronavirus fears.

The talks had been due to take place on the weekend of March 20-22.

A statement on the Green Party website reads: “As a democratic party, conference plays an important role in determining policy and the overall direction of the party, as well as providing a space for training and discussion for members.

“However, it would not be responsible to continue with our plans given the ongoing situation.

“In lieu of conference, plans are already under way to provide members with access to fringe sessions and interaction opportunities online throughout the course of the weekend.

“We will be offering refunds of fees for those already booked. We hope that, given the party will face a significant financial loss as a result of this decision, those members that are able to consider foregoing this will do so.”

Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas tweeted: “Very disappointing that @TheGreenParty has had to cancel our spring conference especially as it was to be held in #Brighton.

“But absolutely the right thing to do the circumstances #coronavirus.”

Meanwhile another school was sending hundreds of pupils home to prevent the spread.

Christ’s Hospital in Horsham is cutting their school term short, with about 660 students being sent home as a safety precaution.

Only pupils who are sitting public exams in the summer will remain at the school... about 240 students in years 11 and 13.

The current school term had been due to finish at the end of the month.

A spokeswoman for the school said: “The school takes its responsibility for the safety and welfare of its pupils and staff extremely seriously. In order to minimise the risk of an outbreak of Covid-19 in our boarding community, parents have been informed that the current term will finish for all pupils apart from those taking public examinations this summer.

“This is a preventative measure to ensure the continued safety of all pupils in our care. “Pupils will be provided with learning materials and be able to contact their teachers while they are at home.”

Subject to the extent of the virus outbreak at the time, the school plans to reopen after the Easter break on April 19 or 20.