Manchester Crown Court will remain shut on Monday and Tuesday next week following a coronavirus outbreak.

It has now been confirmed that the number of positive tests within staff working at the Spinningfields court has risen to eight, from the figure of six previously announced.

Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service said the decision to keep the court shut was made to allow staff to self isolate.

The court is working with Public Health England to create a 'COVID-19 secure environment', HMCTS said.

In a statement, HMCTS said the court will only reopen when they are satisfied staff can return safely.

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The court was first closed last Thursday, before reopening in the afternoon and the following day.

It has remained shut since Monday.

"As of 14 August 2020, eight people who worked on site at the Crown Court in Manchester, Crown Square, last week have now tested positive for COVID-19," the statement read.

"Since the building closed on Monday 10 August, urgent work has moved to Minshull Street.

"The Crown Court will not reopen on Monday or Tuesday (17/18 August), allowing us to review the position.

"This does not mean that the building is unsafe; it is a purely operational decision designed to give us more time to put in place compensatory measures arising from a number of key staff and contractors being required to self-isolate.

"During this time - and working with Public Health England - we will continue to review all the measures that we have already put in place to create a COVID-19 secure environment, as well as seeking expert public health advice on whether there is anything further we should do to strengthen our counter measures.

"We will take a cautious approach to reopening the building and will only do so when we are satisfied that staff and contractors can safely return to work, in particular that: our risk mitigation policies and procedures have been strengthened in light of Public Health England recommendations; they are well understood and are being implemented effectively by all staff and contractors; we have appropriate assurance and supervision arrangements in place to ensure that high standards and levels of compliance are maintained.

"Further detail has been provided to representatives of our professional court users and we will provide further updates over the coming days."