This thread highlights why it takes me so long to collate and report on data re: schools/children.

The following analysis which I have painstakingly collated/correlated from 4 different HPSC reports & the Covid-Hub shows a number of things...
1/

The first thing that stands out most to me is that the number of cases associated with clusters/outbreaks in schools (987) is far higher than then total number of cases in schools to date (661) which was reported in the HPSC School Report for the same week.
2/

Are these 'excess' cases referring to people in the community who contracted Covid from someone in the school, or are they a truer indicator of the number of cases in schools (e.g. index case)? If they are, they don't include cases which did not lead to a cluster or outbreak?
3/

Interestingly, from this report it can also be seen that there were more cases associated with clusters in schools than in meat factories, bearing in mind that the factories were open the whole time, and schools only reopened in Sept.
4/

Another few interesting findings were:

- 27% of all schools tested had positive cases
- 20% of all schools tested positive had clusters/outbreaks
- 66% of all cases were associated with clusters/outbreaks
- Detection rates this week: adults = 4.9%; children =3.5%

5/

Since September, it is estimated that 20% of children have contracted Covid-19 (avg. 89% increase).
Last week, 436 children (22%) contracted the virus; yet some say this is not playing a significant role re: transmission of the virus?
This leads me to my next point...
6/

We know most children go to school. Let's say they contracted Covid in the community, yet went to school as they didn't have symptoms & a few days later they tested positive. What is the likelihood that they did not spread it to anyone else in school, on a bus, in the yard...
7/

...at lunch break, in the corridor, in the bathroom etc. - especially when it is known that people can be contagious 2-3 days prior to symptoms showing?
What is the likelihood of only 51 children out of 436, contracting Covid in schools, using this analogy?
8/

The other thing frustrating me is the use of 'mass testing' in the reports. Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought mass testing was used when a certain population/per location were tested irrelevant if there were cases or not?
Is mass testing actually happening in schools?
9/

I also cannot understand why the breakdown of under 18 age group is not released daily? For me to calculate the YTD Cum. Totals is cumbersome as I cannot find data prior to Week 27 on the HPSC IR reports; but can see the overall total breakdown in the school reports.
10/

This leads me to ask the question - why is it so difficult for the ordinary person to access cases for children under 18? I continually see media etc. report on the under 14's, but not the under 18's (who too are children). If there's nothing to hide, share it!
11/

And why when cases numbers are released, children are included as 'women and men' in the daily briefings?
They are NOT women or men - they are children (male/female/other). Even the HPSC reports state this.
12/

As I said, across a number of HPSC reports, many Cum. totals simply do not add up. I don't know why, I've asked questions; so for now, I simply go with the totals they share. It is frustrating - if I did this I would be lambasted. At least give us *proper* clarification.
13/

Finally, new evidence emerging from the UK is showing worryingly increases in children becoming hospitalised, and contracting #Covid19.
More evidence emerges re: #LongCovid & children.
Awareness is key to prevention, is it not?
14/

At the end of the day, as we now enter the 3rd wave, let it not be a final wave of goodbye to loved ones or friends.

People should be given the choice to decide if they attend school/work.

If not to protect them, to protect their vulnerable loved ones.

End/ @ParentsUtd