Worrying data from the most recent PHE surveillance yesterday - despite these data really underestimating infection in children (as they are based on symptom based testing), positivity rates appear highest in early year settings (fully open) & primary schools (20% attendanc).

The real differences are likely to be greater, given that much of infection is asymptomatic in children. Also worth noting the steep drop initially after school closure, which then plateaus to become more gradual after school re-openings.

Infection among children closely tracks school openings and closures (as we saw even during october half term), and level of attendance (trends in secondary schools where attendance is much lower are different). Again in line with substantial transmission occurring in schools.

Will be interesting to see how the ONS data to be released to aligns with all this. But we can't possibly be talking about opening schools without looking at real-world data which all points to needing better mitigatory measures in schools. Not just 3 wks later, but right now.