High School in Wirral closes after parent has confirmed case of Coronavirus

A school in Wirral has closed after a parent of a child there tested positive for the coronavirus COVID-19.

Hilbre High School in West Kirkby announced that it had closed in a statement on the school's website.

The parent visited the school yesterday before being formally diagnosed with the virus.

In a statement Headteacher, Mark Bellamy, said: "As a precaution, we are closing Hilbre High School today.

"I have come to this decision to allow our school community to move forward and ensure that the school is clean for all of our staff and students.

"I can confirm that we have not been asked to close by the local authority or Public Health England. We expect to reopen on Friday 6th March."

The news comes as the total number of confirmed cases in the UK rose to 51, according to the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock.

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A group of students from the school went on a ski trip to Northern Italy during half-term, however, Mr Bellamy has said that the case is not connected and that no students or staff who went on the trio have tested positive.

He added: "Hilbre High School will reopen when I am confident that there is no risk to students following today’s Coronavirus confirmation.

"Once I know the outcome to tests done on the students concerned, I will then be able to make an informed decision about when to reopen."

National advice is that no schools should close in response to a suspected (or confirmed) COVID-19 case unless directed to do so by Public Health England.