[D66] Almost half of UK coronavirus infections in schools, colleges and universities

[R.O.]

https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/10/05/surv-o05.html

Almost half of UK coronavirus infections in schools, colleges and 
universities
Harvey Thompson
17 hours ago

A series of surveys and reports have exposed the disastrous effects on 
teachers and children of school reopenings. Figures from the latest 
Public Health England’s COVID-19 epidemiology surveillance summary show 
that educational settings now account for 45 percent of all positive 
cases in the UK. This is the highest level of infection of any sector of 
society.

The report is based on data from week 39 (between 21 August and 27 
September 2020) and, for some indicators, daily data up to 29 September 
2020.

Around 30,000 school pupils are infected according to the Office for 
National Statistics, with its October 2 statement reporting “clear 
evidence” in recent weeks “of an increase in the number of people 
testing positive for COVID-19, with the current rates highest in 
teenagers and young adults.” The fastest increases among school ages are 
the 7 to 11 year groups and the 12 to 24 year group.

According to the ToryFibs twitter group—which collates a daily tally of 
school infections based on reports from school websites, local news 
reports and National Health Service updates—as of Saturday 2,576 schools 
across the UK have been infected with COVID-19. Nearly 2,000 are in 
England (1,909), 337 are in Wales, 203 in Scotland, and 127 in Northern 
Ireland. ToryFibs reported 595 live coronavirus clusters within 
educational settings throughout England, including over 100 in the 
capital. London councils, of all political stripes, have been concealing 
accurate figures, resulting in a massive underreporting on school 
infections in the capital

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