The latest round of the Schools Infection
Survey (SIS) suggests a
significant reduction in the percentage of secondary school
pupils and staff testing positive for COVID-19 infection
since schools reopened compared to last November.
The fourth round of the SIS – research jointly led
by Public Health England (PHE), the Office for National
Statistics (ONS) and the London
School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)
– tested 7,271 secondary school pupils and 2,744 staff for
COVID-19 infection between 15 and 31 March.
The results suggest infections fell significantly among both
staff and pupils compared to previous findings in November
and December 2020.
The latest study, which looked at schools from across 14
participating local authorities, found that 0.34% of
secondary school pupils tested positive for current infection
(95% confidence interval: 0.16% to 0.63%) and 0.19% of
secondary school staff tested positive for current infection
(95% confidence interval: 0.04% to 0.58%).
In comparison to the first 2 rounds, using data from
secondary schools across 11 local authorities, the latest
study found:
- the percentage of pupils testing positive (0.33%) was
significantly lower than in Round 1 (1.42%)
and lower than Round 2 (1.22%)
- the percentage of staff testing positive (0.32%) was
significantly lower than in Round 1 (1.36%) and Round 2
(1.64%)
The number of positive test results in round 4 for primary
schools was too small to present due to statistical
disclosure criteria.
Dr Shamez Ladhani, Consultant Paediatrician at PHE and the study’s chief
investigator, said:
Results of this study shows current COVID-19 infection
among secondary school staff and pupils has fallen
significantly from the already low levels recorded last
November.
These findings are reassuring and contribute to wider
evidence that shows the risk of transmission in schools is
low.
This also indicates the importance of public health
measures in schools for reducing transmission.
Professor James Hargreaves, co-chief investigator of the
study at LSHTM,
said:
This round of testing took place just after schools in
England fully reopened. The lower levels of infection
compared to the previous round is encouraging, possibly
reflecting both lower community incidence and, perhaps, the
roll out of mass community-based testing. However, some
schools did record positive cases so continued efforts are
crucial to both limit infections entering schools and
prevent transmission within the school site.
Fiona Dawe, Deputy Director, Wider Surveillance Studies,
ONS,
said:
The data shows that during Round 4 of testing, there was a
reduction in current infection rates in schools taking part
in the study. In secondary schools there was a significant
reduction in current infection levels in both pupils and
staff.
As we see the vaccine roll out across the country, it’s
essential that we continue testing for COVID-19 infection
and antibodies in school settings. The Schools Infection
Survey remains an important study in assessing the role of
schools in the pandemic and how the virus is transmitted in
school settings.
I would like to thank all the staff and pupils who are
taking part in the study for their continued participation,
without which this important study would not be possible.
The SIS is
conducted using PCR tests and is
independent to the mass asymptomatic testing programme in
schools using lateral flow devices.
Results are only available for those who enrolled in the
survey and present at school on the day of testing. Round 1
of the survey took place between 3 and 19 November 2020 and
Round 2 between 2 and 10 December 2020.
Round 3, which was due to take place in late January 2021,
was cancelled due to schools in England being closed to the
majority of pupils during lockdown.
