A hotel housing security staff and media for the G7 summit in Cornwall is to shut completely following an outbreak of COVID-19.

The Pedn Olva hotel in St Ives – the host town for the summit of world leaders and just one mile from Carbis Bay – said it would “fully close” after discussing the outbreak with Public Health England.

It’s understood 13 staff are infected out of around 17 workers.

There were just 45 cases of COVID-19 in Cornwall in the week between 30 May and 5 June.

One staff member, who was leaving the hotel to self-isolate carrying two packs of COVID tests, told Sky News the hotel was “closing and boarding up”.

Sky News spoke to a number of security staff protecting the German G7 delegation who are staying at the hotel.

They said they had “been told nothing” but that they might end up buying a tent and sleeping on the beach.

Most hotels in the county are fully booked because of the summit.

A number of media crews – including CBS – are understood to have been staying at the hotel and operating a live presenting position from its roof.

In a statement, the hotel owners – St Austell Brewery – said: “We can confirm that a number of our team at the Pedn Olva, St Ives, have tested positive for COVID-19.

“We immediately notified Public Health England of these cases and have been working closely with them to ensure we follow all appropriate safety guidelines.

“Following extensive discussions over the last few days with PHE and Cornwall Council, we have taken the decision to fully close the hotel.

“We fully appreciate the inconvenience given the limited accommodation options available in the area at the moment but the safety and security of our team and guests is our upmost priority. The hotel will reopen once a full COVID-19 deep clean has taken place and we have the available staff to run it.”

The outbreak comes on the eve of the start of the G7 summit, with thousands of police, delegates and media in the county.

Related posts:

Olympic star creates cycling glasses that allow riders to see behind them UK reports 58 COVID deaths and 4,715 cases in last 24 hours Police plan crackdown on illegal raves after man stabbed to death during weekend of disorder Millions set to get COVID booster jab from September to ‘keep virus at bay’ Dina Asher-Smith fails to make Olympic 100m final but teammate Daryll Neita through Storm Arwen: Thousands left ‘exhausted’ as they endure fifth day without power England Women humiliate Latvia 20-0 on record-breaking night for Lionesses and Ellen White ‘Very rare’ sea turtle washes up on Welsh beach after Storm Arwen – 5,000 miles away from home Gay rights activist’s appeal in long-running cake dispute ruled ‘inadmissible’ MP Margaret Ferrier to stand trial accused of visiting salon, leisure centre and church while having COVID symptoms COVID epicentre moves from London to North West and more older people being hospitalised MP calls for the return of a ‘hybrid parliament’ and claims 50 members could be at home with COVID