SHORT THREAD ON SCHOOLS:
As we open up, schools are becoming the biggest places where large groups of unvaccinated people mix.
This makes them more vulnerable to outbreaks if local cases increase.
But data on what is happening in schools is sparse.
As we open up, schools are becoming the biggest places where large groups of unvaccinated people mix.
This makes them more vulnerable to outbreaks if local cases increase.
But data on what is happening in schools is sparse.
Firstly, twice weekly lateral flow device tests (LFDs) - the government's main mitigation in secondary schools now that they've removed masks - are not really being done.
There should be about 8 million LFDs a week in secondary schools. But we are only seeing 2 million.
There should be about 8 million LFDs a week in secondary schools. But we are only seeing 2 million.
Numbers picked up a bit after Easter holidays but are now back to where they were in mid April & at ~25% of expected tests (and that's not counting school staff)
Regardless of how effective an intervention it is, this is the government's main strategy. And it's not being done.
Regardless of how effective an intervention it is, this is the government's main strategy. And it's not being done.
Public Health England reports on outbreaks in educational settings each week - but these data are not complete because many schools report instead to a helpline set up last September.
Dept for Education might have more complete data (??) but it's not published (as far as I know).
Public Health England apparently *did* have data on B.1.617.2 (new variant) cases in educational settings but did not publish it in their 13th May report.
theguardian.com/world/2021/may…
Public Health England apparently *did* have data on B.1.617.2 (new variant) cases in educational settings but did not publish it in their 13th May report.
theguardian.com/world/2021/may…
It was not in 22nd May PHE tech report either - despite unions repeatedly asking for this information and being promised it.
https://twitter.com/SusanMichie/status/1396373021473054724?s=20
A parliamentary question about new variant cases in schools has also gone unanswered
https://twitter.com/dgurdasani1/status/1396181151547600897?s=20
Meanwhile, cases in secondary school age children in Bolton are sky high.
There is surge testing going in Bolton schools which will find more cases - but the point is that there are many cases to find. Over 1% of 10-14 year olds tested positive last week. And the week before.
There is surge testing going in Bolton schools which will find more cases - but the point is that there are many cases to find. Over 1% of 10-14 year olds tested positive last week. And the week before.
Where cases are high in the community, schools are at risk of outbreaks. Particularly with this new variant, which is likely more transmissible.
Singapore's health minister said it might affect children more.
uk.news.yahoo.com/indian-coronav…
Singapore's health minister said it might affect children more.
uk.news.yahoo.com/indian-coronav…
So - we need complete weekly data on school outbreaks, how many students are affected and which variant is suspected.
And we need to improve mitigations in schools.
thelancet.com/journals/lance… /END
And we need to improve mitigations in schools.
thelancet.com/journals/lance… /END
It should have said 1% week to 19 May and 0.6% week before (to 12 May). Perils of a super long tweet thread. Data today is a bit higher again at 1.2% to week ending 20 May.
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