AT least four Wirral primary schools have reopened despite an influential study suggesting a worrying rise in the North West's Covid-19 infection rate.

St George's Primary School in Wallasey, Lingham Primary School in Moreton, Heswall Primary School and Barnston Primary School have all reopened to pupils outside of the categories of children of key workers and vulnerable children.

On May 18, Cllr Tom Usher, the council's cabinet member for education, said the council wanted decisions on schools reopening to be made at a "local level" based on the individual circumstances of each school.

It now appears that despite fears about the region’s infection rate some primary schools in the borough feel they can accommodate more children.

Wirral Council was not able to confirm exactly how many primary schools in the borough had reopened today, but it appears that the majority have remained closed to children outside of the categories mentioned above.

On Friday, a study by scientists at Public Health England and the University of Cambridge estimated the infection rate – known as 'R', to have grown to 1.01 in the North West meaning the virus may be on the rise once more in the region.

Paul Boyce, Wirral Council's director of children's services, said this breached the government's five tests which should be passed before schools reopen.

The message sent to schools from Mr Boyce at the end of last week, read: "Today we have been made aware that the most recent reproduction (R) median value for the North West is reported as being 1.01.

"As this is one of the key tests of the Secretary of State for Education, we are awaiting his response.

"However, he has previously made it clear as one of his five tests that the R value should be below 1 before it would be safe for schools to open for children."

Given this development, Mr Boyce said he would support schools who did not want to open to more pupils.

He added: "On this basis we are supportive of schools to pause their plans to open to more children until further information is provided.

"We recognise this announcement has come very late in the day and so accept this will mean that your school may not be able to open to more pupils on 8th June.

"If this is the decision of the school and governors, the council will support this decision."