Covid: Pupils urged to test before returning to school

Young people are being urged to do a rapid Covid test before they return to school after half-term to prevent more new infections.

The UK Health Security Agency says cases among 10 to 19-year-olds are currently the highest of any age group.

Covid levels are running high in the UK, but are showing early signs of a downwards turn.

On Friday, 43,467 new infections have been recorded - that's nearly 6,000 fewer than last Friday.

Plenty of Covid to catch

Meanwhile, estimates from the ONS infection survey suggest that 1.3 million people in the UK would test positive for coronavirus in the week ending 22 October.

That's 1.9% of the population, or one in 55 people.

People can be contagious even if they have no symptoms and are unaware that they have Covid, which is why the UKHSA is recommending pupils get tested.

Free lateral flow kits can be collected from local pharmacies if pupils do not already have them at home.

Many pupils in England and Wales return to school next week.

Anyone who has Covid symptoms or tests positive should isolate and get a confirmatory PCR test as quickly as possible.

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Rapid testing and appropriate isolation can break chains of transmission and prevent the spread of the virus, especially as we enter the winter months.

Vaccination can also help prevent cases.

The UK's chief medical officers have recommended a single Pfizer Covid dose for all 12 to 15-year-olds.

So far the programme in England has been delivered through schools, but from half-term, teenagers will also be able to have their jab at an existing vaccination centre. Not every site will be able to see children immediately though, so families may not be able to go to their nearest centre.

Latest figures for England suggest 17% of young people aged 12 to 15 have had the jab.

It's certainly too soon to get carried away and say that we're definitely on the way down from a peak.

But the modellers advising government have been hopeful for some time that the combination of vaccinations plus the high levels of infections we've seen since July are putting enough immunity in the path of the virus to slow its spread.

The current wave of infections is running hottest amongst children and young teenagers, who have the lowest rates of vaccination.

Although this group are less likely to get extremely ill if they do catch Covid, vaccines can help reduce the number of infections and prevent disruption to their education, experts say.

Chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, Dr Jenny Harries, said: "I am calling on all children to help themselves and each other by getting tested before going back to the classroom, so that we can stop the infection in its tracks and keep as many children in the classroom as possible, continuing their education and developing their futures.

"I want to once again thank all our teachers and those who work in schools who are working so hard to help keep children safe."

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said: "As we start the countdown to Christmas, testing regularly and getting vaccinated is the best thing we can all do to protect education and make sure we can enjoy the best of the season - whether that's the school nativity or the family gathering over the holidays."