The coronavirus situation in St Helens as schools reopen

Primary and secondary schools are reopening their doors to pupils, who are set to receive regular tests for coronavirus.

The town has made strong progress in bringing down COVID-19 infection rates, which had been soaring before the lockdown was imposed at the start of January.

This is the coronavirus situation in the town at present.

How many new cases are being recorded each week?

Fewer than 250 new coronavirus cases were recorded in St Helens in the space of one week, according to figures from Public Health England.

The total number of positive COVID-19 tests returned in the town dropped to 244 in the seven days before February 28, the most recent period for which data was available as of Friday.

This is equivalent to 135.1 infections for every 100,000 residents.

That is down from 392 cases, at a rate of 217 per 100,000 a week earlier.

How many coronavirus patients are being cared for at St Helens & Knowsley Hospitals?

Whiston Hospital

The number of Covid-positive patients at St Helens & Knowsley NHS hospitals has tumbled throughout last week.

On Tuesday, it was revealed that there were100 coronavirus patients receiving care after testing positive for COVID-19.

That was down from 139 a week earlier.

The number of beds at the trust, which runs Whiston, St Helens and Newton hospitals, occupied by people who tested positive for Covid-19 has decreased by 63 per cent in the last four weeks – 28 days ago, there were 267.

The figures also show that 37 new Covid patients were admitted to hospital in St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in the week to February 28.

This was down from 66 in the previous seven days.

Last week, St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals Trust recorded deaths of 17 patients who had tested positive for Covid, although that is down from 22 the previous week.

NHS England figures last week showed 696 people with Covid have died at the trust's hospital since the start of the outbreak.

How is the town's vaccination programme going and which group is being vaccinated at present?

The borough's vaccination programme continues at pace.

Official NHS data shows 66,160 people across the borough had received a vaccine jab by February 28 ­– equating to 45 per cent of those aged 16 and over, according to the latest population estimates from the Office for National Statistics.

St Helens hosts a mass vaccination centre at Saints' Totally Wicked Stadium and there are GP-led clinics at the stadium being held also.

Meanwhile, Taylors Pharmacy (part of Hollowood Chemists) in Haydock and Allied Pharmacies in Bold are also vaccination sites.

Saints' stadium is a vaccination site

What preparation has gone into keeping pupils safe on their return to school?

In a statement explaining how pupils and parents can help with the reopening to all year groups St Helens Council said:

• Secondary aged pupils (year 7 and above) should take part in symptom-free upon their return in the week of March 8

• Children and young people should not mix with others outside school time until full lockdown measures have been lifted

• Consider active ways of travel to and from school, such as walking and cycling. Secondary school pupils should wear a face covering on public transport, unless exempt for health reasons

• Keep your child away from school if they are displaying Covid-19 symptoms or have been asked to isolate due to potential exposure to the virus

The government has confirmed twice-weekly testing using rapid lateral flow tests will be given for free to all families and households with primary, secondary school and college aged children and young people, including childcare and support bubbles, to help find more COVID-19 cases and break chains of transmission.

Twice-weekly testing will also be offered to adults working in the wider school community, including bus drivers and after school club leaders.

READ > Key messages to parents and pupils as school pupils return

The local authority and teaching unions have also worked together with schools and colleges to put control measures in place to reduce the risk of Covid-19 in order to provide a full educational experience for children and young people.

Jo Davies, St Helens Council’s assistant director education and learning, said: “It is vital that children and young people return to school and college for their educational progress, for their wellbeing, and for their wider development.

"Experts say Covid-19 is a low risk to children and keeping them away from their educational setting will cause more harm than good.

“As a former St Helens-based headteacher myself who now works closely with primary, secondary and college heads in the borough, I know just now how hard they work for the benefit of our communities – and we will continue to work with them to ensure they have everything in place to safety provide quality education for our children and young people.”