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UK medical officers analyse evidence on school reopening risks amid coronavirus (COVID-19)

Published on: 24 August 2020
Published by LNB News

LNB News 24/08/2020

Document Information

Issue Date: 24 August 2020

Published Date: 24 August 2020

Jurisdiction(s): England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales

Article summary

The Chief Medical Officers and Deputy Chief Medical Officers of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales have issued a statement on the evidence of risks and benefits to health from schools and childcare settings reopening amid the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. According to the medical officers, they are ‘confident in the extensive evidence that there is an exceptionally small risk of children of primary or secondary school age dying from COVID-19. The infection fatality rate (proportion of those who are infected who die) for those aged 5 to 14 is estimated at 14 per million, lower than for most seasonal flu infections.’ As well as risks for children, the statement also sets out the risks for teachers, other school staff and parents and the evidence of the mental and physical damage to children who do not receive schooling.

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