Scientists are warning of a back-to-school Covid surge as pupils return over the next couple of weeks.
As the debate continues over whether older children should be vaccinated, the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) is warning ministers to prepare for a huge rise in cases among pupils.
Its report states that ‘schools will represent a high proportion of remaining susceptible individuals and it is highly likely that exponential increases will be seen in school-attending age groups after schools open.
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“Vaccination will also have made almost no difference in these population groups over the summer holidays,” it says.
“When schools reopen, the mitigations in place to limit transmission within schools will be much reduced compared to the spring and summer terms. Additionally, the prevalence of infection in the community and school-age groups will be higher than in May 2021.”
They say ‘it is highly likely that high prevalence will be seen within schools by the end of…
