With up to 1,200 children a day being identified as close contacts, a public health expert has warned that primary schools must be better supported to tackle Covid-19. Professor of Health Systems at Dublin City University Anthony Staines said vaccinations will make a big difference for secondary schools but concerns remain for younger children. “The vaccination programme for secondary school-age children is well underway, and it will make a big difference,” he said. However, Dr Abigail Collins, HSE Public Health Schools response lead has said data currently shows while there are large numbers of close contacts in schools, the positivity rate is not rising in line with this. Up to 1,200 children are now being identified daily as close contacts, the HSE has said.

Source: Irish Examiner September 14, 2021 18:56 UTC