DfE stats reveal high level of COVID infections among school staff

Statistics from the Department of Education (DfE) have revealed that the rate of COVID-19 infection among school staff in England is noticeably higher than the rate of infection in the general population – and even higher than it is for teachers. One report has suggested that rates for school staff could be three times higher in primary schools and almost seven times higher in special schools than in the general population. There are estimates that, in the current lockdown, although the government has said that everyone should work from home where possible, 39% of teachers and school leaders and 51% of teaching assistants and other staff are working on-site in open settings. UNISON head of education Jon Richards said: “UNISON has been telling the government for months that school staff are at a higher risk from the virus than others. “Our members are the ones who work closely in settings where children and young people struggle with social distancing. And we told the government that they needed extra protection at work. “With more pupils in schools than the last lockdown, there is more reason to take urgent action. And now the bald facts are out there, the government needs to take our recommendations seriously.” Writing to the secretary of state for education, UNISON says urgent action is needed. “The most vulnerable children should be in school,” it notes, but “the wider definition of vulnerable has led to a massive increase in numbers attending special ...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article Covid-19 school staff schools Source Type: news