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A Wirral school has been closed after a parent of a pupil tested positive for coronavirus.

Hilbre High school in West Kirby has today been closed after it was revealed that a child of the infected parent attended the school yesterday, before it was known they had contracted the virus.

In a letter to parents, head teacher Mark Bellamy said he has taken the decision to close the school entirely until at least Friday and accepted that this does not necessarily align with the current advice from the Chief Medical Officer.

In the letter, he 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 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."

In the letter, Mr Bellamy was keen to point out that the action he has taken has nothing to do with a recent school ski trip to Northern Italy - where there has been a bad outbreak of the virus.

He said the confirmed case is not connected to the trip at this time, adding: "No student or member of staff who went on the ski trip has tested positive for coronavirus. Last week, I chose to keep the school open following advice from the government and Public Health England.

"Today, as I believe this confirmed case directly impacts on my students and staff, it is for this reason I am closing the school."

The headteacher added: "Hilbre High School will reopen when I am confident that there is no risk to students following today's coronavirus information. 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."

Students from the school were sent home at 12.30pm today and staff have been asked to help students get home.

This is a breaking news story, we will be bringing you live updates as it develops.