Is There Any Evidence Of Children Infecting Teachers?

A possible date for UK schools opening is June 1st. There is, however, a general uneasiness among parents, teachers and trade unions. Commentators argue the main stumbling block is not knowing if children infect teachers.

- Dr Miriam Stoppard

In this atmosphere of controversy I thought you might be interested in a study from New South Wales, Australia. The study throws light on the vexed question of re-opening schools: it found no evidence of children infecting their teachers.

The study’s aim was to examine the transmission of Covid in 15 schools and child care centres.

The report by the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) investigated all Covid-19 cases in NSW schools from March 5 – April 3, 2020. Nine children and nine staff from 15 schools were confirmed cases and all had the opportunity to infect others in their schools. Of those initial 18 cases, contact tracing identified 735 children and 128 staff who might have contracted Covid.