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After the identification of outbreaks of B.1.617.2 (variant 1st identified in India) in Bedford in 'education settings' there is now testing ongoing in 2 schools & more widely in the community. Article states that cases have tripled in the past few wks.
https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2021-05-07/indian-coronavirus-variant-found-in-bedfordshire
https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2021-05-07/indian-coronavirus-variant-found-in-bedfordshire
Here are a few other outbreaks reported publicly over the past few weeks. Another outbreak in an education setting linked to B.1.617.2 - https://twitter.com/fascinatorfun/status/1390658156108394497?s=20
The Guardian recently reported 48 clusters of B.1.617.2 identified, including secondary schools, care homes and other settings. The number of outbreaks among these linked to schools, and no. of cases involved hasn't been reported. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/07/indian-covid-variant-is-variant-of-concern-says-public-health-england
The rate of rise of B.1.617.2 is concerning. 50% of London is now variants of concern that are non-B.1.1.7 ('Kent variant'), with the majority likely B.1.617.2. Also rapid rise in other regions: https://twitter.com/chrischirp/status/1390745919210016772?s=20
It's been linked to signs of early rises of cases in Bolton where the frequency of the variant has been rising rapidly (reported as 24% on 17th April by sanger - and likely much higher now, given rate of rise)
We know that school settings played an important role in spread of B.1.1.7, while it was increasing in frequency across the UK- we know that variant cases were over-represented in school age children compared to non-variant cases in Nov-Dec 2020. https://twitter.com/SarahDRasmussen/status/1374118553650085892?s=20
There have likely been several other outbreaks of B.1.617.2 in school settings - but despite asking for this information to be released, given the govt announcement on masks recommendations being suspended in schools, the PHE has yet to release this info. https://twitter.com/UNISONinSchools/status/1390653027426635776?s=20
Why has the PHE not provided this info?
How is the govt following 'data' not 'dates' - when we have a new variant spreading rapidly within the UK, with multiple school outbreaks that appear to be linked to community spread - while the govt scraps masks in schools?
How is the govt following 'data' not 'dates' - when we have a new variant spreading rapidly within the UK, with multiple school outbreaks that appear to be linked to community spread - while the govt scraps masks in schools?
It's notable that SAGE, @IndependentSage and our letter signed by >80 scientists, major education unions and >1000 parents, grandparents & students all have warned against removing mask recommendations from secondaries at this stage: https://www.covidactiongroup.com/open-letter-to-secretary-of-state-for-education
How can the govt say it's following the data?
The claims put forward by the PHE suggesting data showed school re-opening wasn't associated with rise in infection - have been shown to be incorrect - and they were asked to issue a clarification by the OHR. https://twitter.com/PHE_uk/status/1389499403661021188?s=20
The claims put forward by the PHE suggesting data showed school re-opening wasn't associated with rise in infection - have been shown to be incorrect - and they were asked to issue a clarification by the OHR. https://twitter.com/PHE_uk/status/1389499403661021188?s=20
They never acknowledged the misleading nature of the tweet and the original tweet wasn't taken down. Oddly, this has been followed by slightly different, but still misleading claims from the @educationgovuk a few days later. https://twitter.com/dgurdasani1/status/1391127450541826049?s=20
The lack of transparency, and accurate information from public health organisations undermines trust. Independence of public health organisations, public trust and evidence-based policy is essential to protecting society in the midst of a pandemic. Transparency engenders trust.
The DfE must explain the basis for it's decision, and PHE should release relevant data so this can be scrutinised by the public & the scientific community. Making decisions about millions of people's lives without transparency is unacceptable.
Sorry, I meant OSR not OHR - Office for Statistics Regulation- in my earlier tweet.
