DUBLIN: Latest figures released by the HSE indicates that the number of COVID victims in schools is rising. Mass testing reports show that the number of schools reporting COVID positive for staff and students has more than tripled in a week.
According to the HSE’s weekly report, 108 schools required mass testing last week, up from 34 the previous week, which ended on March 6. On March 1, younger classes and sixth-year students returned to their classrooms.
During the week ending on March 13, the number of infectious diseases was relatively low. The overall infection rate is currently 2.3%.At the same time, the rate of creches and childcare is 10.7%.
In schools, 1,842 close contacts were identified in the week ending on March 13. The test found COVID-19 in 44 children (2.4%).It was 2.5% in the special educational settings and 2.8% in the primary level. The report says the high rate of infection between childcare facilities may be due to close interactions between individuals at those facilities.
According to figures published last week, no new COVID-19 outbreaks were reported in schools the week children returned to their classrooms. Ten new outbreaks related to childcare facilities were notified during this time. An outbreak is classified as two or more cases.
The report details close contacts of those identified by COVID-19 at schools and creches. The number of positive cases that triggered the contact tracing process in a school or creche is not included in the report.
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