POLICE officers are self-isolating following a Covid-19 outbreak at a police station in Newbury.

Several Thames Valley Police officers have tested positive for the virus in recent days, West Berkshire Council has announced.

Those officers and people they have been in close contact with are isolating, while public health experts work with the police force to try and contain the outbreak.

In a statement, the council said: “Thames Valley Police acted quickly to take the necessary precautions and working with NHS Test and Trace and partners informing anyone who had been in close contact to begin self-isolating.

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“Agencies including West Berkshire Council and Public Health England are working with Thames Valley Police to ensure that appropriate steps are being taken to minimise the spread of the virus in line with our local outbreak control plan.”

It is not yet clear how many police officers have tested positive for the virus.

Chief Constable Christian Bunt said: “Following these positive tests within the West Berkshire Local Policing Area the officers are taking precautions and are self-isolating after it was confirmed they tested positive for coronavirus.

“Early action was taken to ensure that these officers isolated quickly, in order to minimise the spread of the virus.”

“This is not having any impact on the service we provide to the public.

“Plans continue to be in place to contain and manage this situation and we continue to work in partnership with Public Health England and West Berkshire Council.”

In West Berkshire, 571 people have tested positive for Covid-19 and the virus has claimed 133 lives so far.