A pupil at St John Fisher Catholic Comprehensive School in Chatham has been diagnosed with the coronavirus.

The news was confirmed this morning with more details expected to be released later today.

Head teacher Dympna Lennon issued a message to some parents last night, which was followed by a series of rumours on social media.

KentOnline waited for official confirmation before publishing details.

She said: "Public Health England has been in contact with us this afternoon to advise us that a Y8 student in SJF has been diagnosed with COVID 19 (coronavirus).

"PHE has asked us to reassure you that COVID 19 is transferred through contact within 2m and for approximately 15 minutes.

"They will get in contact with you directly, should they need to.

"I have supplied your details to them in order to ensure that this can be done efficiently over the weekend and coming days. Please contact 111 if you need further advice."

Medway NHS Foundation trust issued a statement on it's Facebook page saying there had been no confirmed cases at Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham.

It is also being reported that a woman from Dartford is among 140 British nationals on board the Grand Princess cruise ship which was barred from docking in San Francisco.

Jackie Bissell had booked the cruise with a friend as part of her 70th birthday celebrations.

She told Radio 4’s Today Programme on Saturday passengers were told on Thursday there might be something wrong.

She said: “We had a note popped through the door saying that this virus might be on the ship – they removed the salt, the pepper.

“We could touch absolutely nothing, if you wanted sugar in your tea or coffee they would come along and do it for you rather than you touching any of these items.

"We had a note popped through the door saying that this virus might be on the ship"

“You can’t go out, you can just go out in the hall if someone taps the door. They put the food outside, drop your menus inside and that’s about it.”

“It was a bit mish-mash yesterday but today they’ve got things a lot more organised,” she said.

“We’re very comfortable and everything you need will be brought to you – eventually – and we are absolutely fine and the ship is fine.”

It comes as it was confirmed yesterday that a second person in Kent has been diagnosed with the coronavirus.

Officials said they are connected to the first victim - a man working at Maidstone Studios who recently returned from a trip to Rome - but no other details about them have been released.

KentOnline earlier reported a number of pupils at a Faversham school were in isolation after it was confirmed a family member is fighting coronavirus.

• Coronavirus: Everything You Need To Know

• Coronavirus in Kent: How to keep your workplace safer

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