A primary school has identified 13 positive coronavirus cases after a mobile testing site was put at the entrance.
St Ann's Primary School in Rainhill introduced a mobile testing site at the school following a rise in the number of positive cases this week.
Following the mobile testing site being introduced 13 children who did not have symptoms tested positive.
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Ruth du Plessis, Director of Public Health at St Helens Borough Council, told the ECHO: “In response to a number of positive Covid cases identified in the school, we have been working with the staff at St Ann’s, Rainhill, closely and earlier this week sent in a mobile testing unit to help identify any additional cases amongst staff and pupils.
“As a result of quick work by the testing team we have managed to identify a further 13 cases in the school in children who did not have symptoms which will help to prevent further spread of the virus.
“The school have been consulting parents of pupils throughout this time and all pupils or staff tested have consented to do so.
"We are hoping that as a result of this swift response and the support from parents and children any further spread of the virus at the school will now be minimised.”
The ECHO became aware of the mobile testing facility after parents at the school commented on a post in a local community group on Facebook.
The primary school confirmed to the ECHO they did have a mobile testing facility but did not want to make any further comment.
In the Rainhill Community Group on Facebook, Lisa Banks wrote: "Due to the high number of positive cases in the school, they have asked if parents will voluntarily take their children for a PCR test and have allocated times for each class."
Another commenter said it was a "great idea," before adding it was "much handier if it's on site like this. Hopefully every parent takes up the offer."
Recent government figures have shown the number of children out of school for Covid-related reasons has risen in the last two weeks.
Data released by the Department for Education estimated 208,000 of pupils in state-funded schools did not attend school for Covid-related reasons on November 25.
This was up from 130,000 just two weeks before.
These included 106,000 pupils with a confirmed case and 79,000 with a suspected case of the virus.
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