The government has been urged to publish data on the Indian coronavirus variant in schools amid growing concern over its spread and a “dearth of information”.
The call came as new data suggested the number of schoolchildren with a confirmed case of Covid-19 jumped by a third in the space of just over a week.
The government also estimated thousands of more pupils were self-isolating due to potential contact with a coronavirus case last Thursday – when the last available data is from – compared to the week before.
Paul Whiteman from the school leaders’ union NAHT said it was “still far too soon to be complacent” about relaxing safety measures in schools.
“There is growing concern about the spread of the Indian variant in schools. The government must make the data they hold on this public without further delay,” the union’s general secretary said.
“Schools need transparency about the levels of infection around the country so they can make sure they have the right measures in place for their local area.”
Another education union leader called for more…
