Worcestershire County Council has said covid cases in schools are on the rise despite overall numbers falling according to the latest figures.
Between the ages of 0-19, 6,915 cases of confirmed coronavirus have been registered throughout Worcestershire in the last 7 days, which equates to 43.1% of all cases in the county, 16,031.
The latest county council data shows that Worcestershire has recorded 1,021 cases per 100,000 population, with the national average for England being 971per 100,000.
In a Twitter thread posted on January 21, the county council said: "Overall covid cases have decreased significantly in Worcestershire over the past seven days.
"However, cases in nursery aged, primary and secondary school-aged children and young people are rising."
Currently, only children over the age of 12 can receive their first and second dose of the vaccine.
Director of Public Health in Worcestershire, Dr Kathryn Cobain, said: “Covid rates have decreased over the past week and the figures show a rise in rates amongst nursery aged, primary and secondary school-aged children and young people who are testing regularly.
"So we can understand the full picture of Covid in the county, please remember to report all your rapid lateral flow test results, whether positive or negative.
"We are all learning to live with Covid, but that doesn’t mean ignoring it. Covid hasn’t gone away.
"Vaccination is your best protection against the virus and reduces your chance of getting seriously ill."
Boris Johnson has urged teachers who insist masks should still be worn in lessons to follow the rules which state that they are no longer required for use in classrooms.
A spokesman for the Prime Minister said “children have been one of the hardest hit as a result of the disruption throughout the pandemic”, adding that Mr Johnson “believes it is vital that children are receiving face-to-face education and can enjoy a normal experience in the classroom”
"The Prime Minister also thinks that the schools should follow the latest guidance.
“We’ve been clear that we removed the requirement for face masks to be worn in classrooms and we will remove advice for face masks to be worn in communal areas from January 27.”
You can book your vaccine here or find a walk-in site here.
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