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There is no evidence of a difference between school personnel who test positive for coronavirus antibodies and the broader working-age population, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The main findings of the Schools Infection Survey anticipates children returning to classrooms in England next week as part of the first phase of lifting the coronavirus emergency shutdown.
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Families of school-age children for rapid tests
As of December 10, 2020, an estimated 14.61% of elementary school staff COVID-19 antibodies, suggesting that they had been infected with the disease, while 15.72% of secondary staff were thought to have them.
That’s a small increase from the previous month, where 12.63% of primary school teachers and 12.27% of secondary school staff were thought to have antibodies.
In total, 14.99% of the teachers who participated in the study tested positive for antibodies, a figure lower than that of the general population of working adults, which has been estimated at 18.22%.
That means that teachers do not appear to be at higher risk than any other part of the workforce.
All the data in the ONS report is taken from a small sample of schools in England, which means that only estimates can be drawn from the study.
All children in all schools are expected to return to school on March 8, after more than two months of learning at home.
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Families are expected test children twice a week using rapid tests, while test sites will also open in some schools.
Teachers unions have criticized the government for not prioritizing vaccinating teachers before reopening.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT school leaders union, said that school equipment “often occupies confined, unventilated spaces for long periods of time with only rudimentary personal protective equipment (PPE).”
“The fact that you have added some complexity to the implementation is not a sufficient reason not to prioritize the needs of committed professionals,” he said.
Schools in Scotland and Wales have already begun a gradual return to the classroom.
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No exam is the ‘right way to go,’ says PM
Analysis: the benefits outweigh the risks of children returning to classrooms
By Laura Bundock, News Correspondent
In one week, schools will welcome students to classrooms.
A momentous day, as the first blocking measure is lifted. Understandably, it has generated many questions from teachers and families. In particular, is it the right time to reopen?
The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) would suggest yes. And that’s for three simple reasons.
First, infection rates are low and figures show that infection rates within schools mirror those in the local community.
Second, schools have taken important steps to mitigate risks.
And third, teachers are not at higher risk of infection than other working adults.
As one of the scientists told me: “We are in a much better place than ever.”
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A ‘wide range’ of student support is being considered
Of course, once the students return, there is a risk that the R number will start to increase again. It is practically impossible to prevent that from happening.
But researchers are confident that the benefits of bringing the children back currently outweigh the risks.
Also, while the potential for transmission exists in schools, the data suggests, the measures schools are taking are working to control this.
And that’s really important, because with so many people in one space, vital cases can be contained.
The risks of transmission do not refer only to schools, but also to parents getting mixed up in delivery or collection, or when children take public transport to go to school.
Introducing lateral flow tests for families, students, and school staff is a new tool that could help.
We are, according to ONS data, in the best possible place for the safe return of children. But scientists will be closely monitoring the situation in the coming days and weeks.
