Covid-19: Teenagers, children highest represented in NSW Covid cases

With Covid cases soaring in school aged children education leaders are urging parents to vaccinate. Latest statistics show the potential underlying issue of low vaccination rates amongst the state’s young school children.

Covid is running rampant in NSW with school aged children currently recording the highest rate of infections, as education leaders urge parents to vaccinate their children.

Alarmingly in the seven days prior to February 22, the highest number of positive cases reported was by far in school aged children.

For children nine and under, 12,960 positive Covid cases were recorded from a combination of rapid antigen tests (RAT) and PCR tests. In ages 10 to 19, 14,138 positive Covid tests were reported.

On average, about 3871 people aged 19 and under are testing Covid positive each day.

Of concern is only half of children aged between five and nine have received a Covid vaccine shot, as of Sunday.

Less than 50 per cent of children between five and nine have received a Covid vaccine shot. Picture: Nikki Short

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said despite the challenging times, the return to school process had gone smoothly but urged parents who hadn’t vaccinated their children to do so.

“The return to school has gone incredibly smoothly, and I want to thank all parents, staff and students for working together to achieve this,” she said.
“We are constantly looking at the settings in schools to ensure they remain appropriate, and will make changes as needed.

NSW Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell provides an update on the first week back at school from Campbelltown Hospital. Picture: Christian Gilles

“Vaccination is an important part of the defence against Covid-19 in our broader community, and I urge parents to vaccinate their children if they are eligible.”

Statistics from RAT tests across NSW schools collected by Service NSW revealed the numbers of positive Covid tests had increased inside schools across the first two weeks.

From January 31 to February 6, 8109 school age students and 521 staff members from government schools tested positive for Covid. It is worth noting school didn’t return until February 1.

The following week 12,056 cases were recorded in school aged children, almost 3000 more than the previous week. About 660 staff members also returned a positive Covid tests.

NSW Teachers Federation president Angelo Gavrielatos said we had a long way to go with living and learning with Covid and it was vital risk mitigation strategies such as RATs and masks stay in place for the safety of teachers and students.

“We are still a long way away from getting out of this global pandemic and we are reminded of that every day when the number of recorded cases is published,” he said.

NSW Teachers Federation President Angelo Gavrielatos (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

“There is no doubt that the implementation of risk mitigation strategies that were announced for schools a month ago have to stay in place. We take the view that you can never overcompensate when it comes to these strategies.

“As the government is reviewing the restrictions and strategies for schools we are of the opinion that rapid antigen testing regimen should remain. It is providing an important line of defence to keep our schools ultimately safer.

More than 83 per cent of children aged between 12 and 15 have had at least one dose of the vaccine, with 96.7 per cent of people aged 16 and over also protected by a single vaccine shot.

St Patrick’s Primary School, Blacktown principal Monica Fitzalan said it was important children were back to where they should be.

Monica Fitzalan, Principal of St Patrick’s Primary School, Blacktown.

“We have had a really good, successful return to school,” she said. “The children are delighted to be back where they need to be. Back where they thrive, back with their friends and where they are able to connect, learn and engage again.

“Teachers have been invigorated to begin the year with children face-to-face. There is nothing better as a teacher than teaching face-to-face and bonding with the children.”

NSW Health advice for school children is for the first four weeks of Term 1, they recommend students take a rapid antigen test twice a week before attending school.

If a child has even mild Covid-19 symptoms, a RAT or PCR test is encouraged before isolating until a negative test result.
Currently NSW Health advice for school children is for the first four weeks of Term 1 students are recommended to take a rapid antigen test twice a week before school.

If a child has even mild COVID-19 symptoms, they recommend tested with a RAT or PCR test before isolating until a negative test result.

“The NSW Department of Education is reviewing its school settings, including the RAT surveillance program. The Department of Education is working closely with NSW Health,” a spokesman said.

The most recent data set released by NSW Health also revealed the LGA’s which have been hardest hit by Covid.

Topping the list is Blacktown, who have over 2,500 recorded cases more than the second highest LGA from the week of January 23 to January 29, 2022. The top 10 LGA’s for Covid cases between January 23 to January 29, 2022 were; Blacktown, 6,178, Sutherland Shire, 3,515, Canterbury-Bankstown, 5,460, Liverpool, 3,488, Central Coast, 5,002, Wollongong, 3,097, Northern Beaches, 4,952, Campbelltown, 2,901, Cumberland, 4,060 and Penrith, 3,560.