Senior NPHET Member Says Re-Opening Of Schools In The Face Of Delta Variant A "New Challenge".

Monday, 30 August 2021 13:39

Professor Philip Nolan is President of Maynooth University and Chair of the Modelling Advisory Group

A senior member of NPHET says the reopening of schools with the Delta variant spreading will present a "new challenge".

The current 5-day average of cases is 1,899 - with most new infections in younger people who aren't fully vaccinated.

Professor Philip Nolan, President of Maynooth University and Chair of the Modelling Advisory Group, says there's "considerable evidence" schools aren't major places of transmission.

A note of appreciation to the principals, teachers, staff, administrators, public health doctors, parents and students who have worked hard to make our schools as safe as possible and are looking forward to a full return to in-person schooling. 1/15
— Professor Philip Nolan (@PhilipNolan_MU) August 30, 2021

But he says Covid safety measures in schools will need to be "strictly observed" during the new term because of the more transmissible strain.

Damien McCallion, the HSE's national lead on the vaccination programme, says there's been strong take-up of jabs among 12-17 year olds

Where in-school transmission has been observed, it tends to be amongst friendship groups and in high-contact situations, suggesting that direct contact, droplets and short-range aerosol are the dominant modes of transmission in this setting. 5/15 pic.twitter.com/QfscP5ydTs
— Professor Philip Nolan (@PhilipNolan_MU) August 30, 2021