Many new corona infections in schools
With the start of the school year, schools are again a place where many corona infections take place. Figures from the RIVM show that one in eight corona infections (12,5 percent) can be traced back to school or childcare last week. “Exactly what you fear is happening again,” says AObdirector Thijs Roovers.
Picture: Nina Maissouradze
In total, 788 people tested positive last week and the GGD noted the school or childcare as a possible place of infection. Compared to the beginning of June, this is almost double.
Increase
The figures in the age categories, also by the RIVM published, show the same picture. Last week there were 5 corona infections in the age category 9-1708 years and RIVM recorded 10 infections in the category 14-2075 years. These age groups account for 9,4 percent and 11,4 percent of all corona infections, respectively. Compared to a week before and in the summer, this is a clear increase.
The GGD recognizes the image and sees that more children are being tested. 'Since the end of the summer holidays, we have seen an increase in the number of children aged 0-12 who are tested,' Jacqueline Toonen, spokesperson for the GGD, emails. In the last week of the summer holidays, the share of test administrations in that age group was 8 percent of the total number of administrations. This rose to 18 percent of the total number last week.
Many lessons are canceled because the ventilation is not in order in all places
AOb-driver Roovers points to the ventilation. “Many lessons are canceled because the ventilation is not in order in all places. That, in combination with often large classes, still makes it so difficult to prevent the spread of Covid-19. We are concerned about what this will mean for teachers and students.”
Class home
Soon after the summer holidays, stories of closed schools or classes that had been sent home resurfaced in the regional media. Like this reported Omroep West yesterday that primary school De Driemaster in Voorburg will be closed again in the second week of school. There were too many infections for classes to continue. All classes are at home and the school is closed all week, the broadcaster reports.
Also at OBS Lorentz School in Hilversum a class was sent home on the second day of school, reported The Telegraph. Just like two classes of the Haarlem Montessori school.
Quarantine
In primary education, the rule is now that if one student has corona, the entire class must be quarantined. In secondary education, this only applies to pupils who had close contact with a peer tested positive. In Trouw newspaper said pediatrician and OMT member Károly Illy that the advice will be from September 20 not to quarantine entire classes in primary education, but only the close contacts. The OMT advises the cabinet on this, but the question is whether the cabinet will take over. The PO council, the employers' umbrella organization, called easing 'positive news'. "There must be a risk assessment that should not only look at the dangers of more infections, but also look at the major disadvantages of sending an entire class home," said chairman of the PO council Freddy Weima.
In the Education magazine of July spoke school leaders and a teacher about what it does to a team when the school suddenly has to close due to a virus outbreak. 'Oh dear, I thought. It will start when the first sick report came in', said Carolien Pellemans, school leader at primary school Favoriet in Panningen.
Looking for the latest protocol or a question about corona and working in education? Go to the Frequently Asked Questions. Guidelines that the AOb made about ventilation can be found below.
Guide to ventilation foundation education
Guidance on ventilation for senior secondary vocational education and higher education
