The proportion of positive Covid cases has increased among secondary school-aged students (school Years 7 to 11), according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics.
And a small increase was found also in pre-school and primary-age pupils (two-year-olds and school Year 6), albeit smaller than that for older pupils.
Among older teenagers and young adults - school Year 12 to age 34 - and those aged 50 to 69, rates went down.
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The ONS is clear that in all other age groups trends are uncertain and urges caution in over-interpreting the latest data.
Schools reopening ‘has resulted in a rise in Covid cases’
The trend of rising cases in school-aged pupils was also flagged by the Independent SAGE group of scientists today, who mentioned it in their Friday briefing.
Cases rising in school-age cohort, @Kit_Yates_Maths reports at the @IndependentSage Friday Briefing pic.twitter.com/TeJaiUfm8L
- Prof Alice Roberts? (@theAliceRoberts) March 26, 2021
On 8 March, the positivity rate in the youngest group (two-year-olds to school Year 6) was 0.41 per cent, while in the older pupils (school Year 7 to Year 11), it was 0.32 per cent, according to the ONS.
These are the estimated percentages of the population in the year group testing positive for Covid-19 on data from nose and throat swabs.
In the first few days, rates remained broadly stable.
Over the week 13 to 20 March, the positivity rate in the youngest group went up from 0.40 per cent to 0.50 per cent. For the older pupils, the rate increased from 0.34 per cent to 0.53 per cent.
All other age groups show a small decrease - except for the group 35-49 years old, which shows a very modest increase.
Commenting on the latest ONS figures, Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the NEU teaching union, said: “As expected, the reopening of schools has resulted in an increase in coronavirus infection among school-age children.
“Infection rates are still relatively low, and the Easter break will allow rates to fall again. Going forward, government must not make mistakes of the past and ensure that the science, not political ambition, guides decisions.”
