Ottery St Mary Hospital has been allocated as a temporary Covid-19 testing centre.

The community health facility is located directly opposite local secondary school, The King's School.

Principal, Rob Gammon issued a letter of reassurance in which he said: "We continue to receive daily updates from the Department for Education which keep us updated on the government's response to this issue.

"We are regularly reviewing planned school activities, including trips and visits, in light of this guidance."

A statement issued by The Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Trust (RD&E) said: "Only referred cases will be tested.

"Those referred to the centre for swabbing will arrive in their own car, and will not enter the building.

"They will be swabbed outside by specially trained nurses, under a purpose built awning.

"This service is being provided by staff from RD&E NHS Trust.

"We are doing this to minimise the impact of testing on local hospitals, which is where cases have been tested in recent weeks."