There has been a 15 per cent rise in positive lateral flow tests in colleges and 16-19 schools in England in the last week, Tes analysis of Department of Health and Social Care data has revealed.
In the seven-day period beginning 11 March, 386,984 Covid lateral flow tests were conducted in colleges and 16-19 schools in England. Of these, 285 were positive.
Previous analysis from Tes found that in the week beginning 4 March, 359,094 Covid lateral flow tests were conducted and 246 were positive.
Covid unemployment: Young people among hardest hit
Need to know: Assessed content in VTQs can be reduced
Last week’s data: 246 positives in first week back
This was an increase of more than 700 per cent on the week before, when 42,848 tests were taken in these institutions.
In February, the government confirmed that it expected all staff and students to return to college from 8 March, and set out a plan for testing that would see all students and staff receiving four tests within the first two weeks of on-site delivery, and then twice weekly afterwards.
Lateral flow tests in colleges: the data in full
Week 4 - 10 March
- Overall tests conducted in secondary schools and colleges: 3,733,229
- Tests conducted in colleges and 16-19 schools: 359,094
- Overall positives in secondary schools and colleges: 2,039
- Overall positives in colleges and 16-19 schools; 246
- Overall negatives in secondary schools and colleges: 3,725,655
- Overall negatives in colleges and 16-19 schools: 357,966
- Overall unknown/void in secondary schools and colleges: 5,535
- Overall unknown/void in colleges and 16-19 schools: 882
Week 11 - 18 March
- Overall registered tests conducted in secondary schools and colleges: 5,016,923
- Registered tests conducted in colleges and 16-19 schools: 386,984
- Overall positives in secondary schools and colleges: 2,544
- Overall positives in colleges and 16-19 schools: 285
- Overall negatives in secondary schools and colleges: 5,008,586
- Overall negatives in colleges and 16-19 schools: 386,151
- Overall unknown/void in secondary schools and colleges: 5,508
- Overall unknown/void in colleges and 16-19 schools: 548
