COVID-19: More than 1 million children in England absent from school last week due to virus, data shows | UK News

More than a million children in England were out of school last week for reasons related to the coronavirus, according to official figures.

This is a new record since the schools reopened in March.

Data released by the Department of Education shows that about 14.3% of all students in state-funded schools were absent from class on July 15, a total of 1.05 million.

This is an increase from 11.2% on July 8 and 8.5% on July 1.

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Among them, 773,700 students have self-isolated due to possible contact with a case of coronavirus inside the school, while 160,300 students after possibly coming into contact with a case of COVID-19 outside of school.

A total of 47,200 students had a confirmed case of coronavirus and 34,800 students were absent due to COVID school closures.

About 34,500 students had a suspected case of coronavirus, the data showed.

Earlier this month Education Secretary Gavin Williamson announced that the school bubble system was being phased out in England and that only those who test positive for COVID-19 will need to self-isolate .

From August 16, students will no longer have to isolate themselves if they are in close contact with someone who tests positive for the coronavirus.

Schools will also no longer need to stagger start and end times, and children who are contacted by Track and Trace as a contact of a person who tested positive will be invited to take a PCR test.