February 15, 2021

new preprint on schools and COVID-19 spread

Scientists at the University of Warwick have done some research looking at data on school absences due to COVID-19 infection between September and December 2020, and how that varied through time as other measures in the community were introduced.

The study looks at whether and how school absences due to COVID-19 (in pupils and teachers) changed during the tier system, the November lockdown when schools remained open, and in December when lockdown was lifted; and looked at primary and secondary schools.

Journalists tuned into this briefing to hear the scientists talk about their study.  Please note this is a preprint (not a peer-reviewed, published paper) so is preliminary data.

Speakers included:

Dr Mike Tildesley, Associate Professor, University of Warwick

Dr Edward Hill, Research Fellow in Mathematical Epidemiology, University of Warwick

This Briefing was accompanied by an SMC Roundup of Comments.