Nursery World - Coronavirus: Infection rates among teachers and school support staff 'much higher' than among general public

The infection rate of Covid-19 among teaching assistants in primary schools is three times higher that of the general population, and for teachers nearly double, analysis of Government figures by the National Education Union has found.

The NEU analysis has found that cases of Covid-19 are on average much higher among teachers and support staff in schools

Taken together for primary and secondary school teachers the average rate of infection is nearly double that of the general population, with a similar incidence among special school teachers.

The rate of infection for teaching assistants and other staff in special schools is a shocking seven times higher than the general population.

The DfE has not published any data on the rates of Covid-19 among early years staff.

The NEU’s calculations are based on data published by the Department for Education on the impact of coronavirus on the school workforce in its latest statistics, published yesterday (19 January), showing attendance in educational and early years settings during the coronavirus outbreak.

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