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The number of schools where positive cases of Covid-19 were detected among students or staff has tripled in the space of a week, the latest figures show.
HSE’s Weekly Mass Covid-19 Testing Report for Schools, covering the period March 7-13, shows that positive cases were detected in 108 schools.
This represents an increase of 34 schools during the first week of March, when schools reopened to junior classes and high schools reopened to sixth-year students.
The HSE report shows that the positivity rate among students and staff who underwent massive tests last week on foot for these cases was 2.4 percent, up from 1.1 percent the week before.
This is still below the positivity rate for the general community, which fewer numbers show is 3.8 percent.
Public health experts consider positivity rates as a key indicator of the risk of Covid-19 transmission.
A breakdown of the weekly mass testing figures in schools shows that positivity rates were highest in elementary schools (2.8 percent), followed by special schools (2.5 percent) and high schools ( 1.4 percent).
The report also shows that positivity rates for the child care sector last week were 11.3 percent.
Positivity rates are typically higher in the child care sector, where physical distancing is more challenging.
Positive Covid-19 cases were detected in a total of 35 daycare centers, resulting in massive testing of 551 employees and children. This resulted in the detection of 62 more cases.
Controversy
Meanwhile, there has been controversy across the broader education system over the fact that some frontline educational staff who work with vulnerable children have been given priority over others for vaccination.
Staff employed by Tusla, such as education and welfare officials and school project staff, have been vaccinated in many cases.
However, the homeschooling community liaison officers, who visit the homes of vulnerable families, have not done so, and it is unclear when they will be vaccinated.
Tusla declined to comment on why this was the case, but correspondence seen by The Irish Times shows that it reached an agreement with the HSE to vaccinate its own staff as a priority; Homeschool Liaison Officers are employed by school boards.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, Tusla has been proactive in planning, preparing, and empowering staff to continue front-line work. Our work is determined by the Government as an essential service, ”he said in a statement.
“As part of this work, we have engaged with the HSE regarding vaccination and are working with them in relation to our front-line staff to get them vaccinated according to their protocols and parameters. In fairness to HSE and all other stakeholders, it would not be appropriate for us to comment on vaccination plans for other public sector workers. “
Meanwhile, special needs teachers and aides have been told they will be among the first third of the population to be vaccinated, but there is no date yet on when it will start.
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