Discussions are underway about next introducing in coronavirus mass testing into Liverpool primary schools.
Over the weekend, the ECHO revealed how the city council had decided to introduce the Covid-19 checks into 10 secondary schools, with the rest expected to follow soon.
Now, Town Hall officials say they are trying to bring the widespread testing programme to primary schools.
Booths would be set up inside the schools to test children so they do not require a separate trip with their parents, outside of teaching hours, to get checked.
Liverpool council say they are looking into that step, but a few logistical considerations need to be completed first.
If agreed, every school in the city, of children aged 4-18, could be included in the scheme.
Operation Moonshot will see half a million people offered tests if they do not have symptoms as the government searches ways to guide the UK out of the second national lockdown.
Around 2,000 members of the military are helping NHS staff to administer a combination of swab tests and new lateral flow tests which give results within an hour without the need of a lab.
The test is entirely voluntary with nobody forced to take part.
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But officials are reminding the public the greater the number who participate could means restrictions are lifted sooner, particularly with Christmas approaching.
Liverpool was chosen for the pilot following dialogue as the city had the highest rate of coronavirus deaths in England and leaders on Merseyside were keen for the programme to come here.
Liverpool City Region was the first area to be put into the Tier 3 of Covid-19 restrictions, on 14 October, and infections rates have since dropped.
(Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)
(Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)
The most recent statistics reveal Liverpool recorded 318 cases per 100,000 in the week up to 2 November compared to the national average of 164.
The number of coronavirus patients to die in UK hospitals rose by 151 on Sunday.
Health authorities announced the figure, which includes 122 deaths in England, 19 in Wales, three in Scotland and seven in Northern Ireland.
A week ago 137 hospital fatalities were confirmed, while a fortnight ago that figure was 90.
A month ago, on October 8, health authorities said 58 people had died after contracting Covid-19.
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In the past 24 hours the number of confirmed cases passed 50 million, while the global death toll stands at around 1.25 million.
Latest Department of Health data puts the death toll in all settings at 48,888, although the virus has been mentioned on more than 62,000 since the start of the pandemic.
For the testing in schools, parents will be sent letters asking if they are willing to consent to their child receiving a test.
Director of Public Health, Matthew Ashton has said: “The more of us who get tested, the more we can stop the spread of COVID-19 in our city.
“We’re saying to people: let’s do this for our families, our city, our Liverpool – and that includes our young people.
“All children aged between 11 and 18 years old, where the appropriate recorded consent is provided, are eligible for the test.
“We are inviting the young people in our city to take part in this process and be part of this ground-breaking initiative.”
-- to www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
