Schools are linked to “exponential growth” in the Covid-19 infection rate, a teaching union has claimed.

There is a “strong correlation” between the full reopening of schools in Northern Ireland in August and a rise in the infection rate over the past two months, according to the NASUWT teaching union.

The claim comes as schools in Northern Ireland are set to close on Monday for two weeks, one of which will cover the half-term break, in a bid to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

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The NASUWT said there was “no doubt” that “severe measures” were required in Northern Ireland.

The union is now calling on the Northern Irish minister of education to publish data on “school-based transfer of the virus”.

Patrick Roach, NASUWT general secretary, said: “There is no doubt that Northern Ireland has reached the point where severe measures must be taken to bring the Covid-19 epidemic under control.

“There is a strong correlation between the full reopening of schools in August and the exponential growth in the infection rate over the past two months.

“It has been reported that both the chief medical and scientific officers have recommended a four-week closure of schools. The executive need to publish this advice and the rationale for not following this course of action.

“The Department of Education has been collecting information from schools in relation to positive cases in schools since the reopening. The NASUWT are calling on the minister of education to publish this information and any related analysis of school-based transfer of the virus. Teachers are asking, ‘what are they hiding?’”