Pupils and school staff in Wales have been told to stay at home if they have Covid symptoms as cases rise. Dr Chris Williams, Consultant Epidemiologist for Public Health Wales (PHW), said there has been a “small to moderate increase in Covid-19 in Wales” since term began.
Official Welsh Government guidance says education is important and pupils with mild symptoms should still attend. Some schools have reported staff and pupils off ill but not at levels to cause any significant problems, school leaders said.
PHW said no cases of the new BA.2.86 variant have been detected to far in Wales but all those who are eligible for Covid and/or flu jabs are being urged to take up the offer with winter on the way.
Now that community and population level testing has ended, PHW monitors the spread of Covid by looking at broader trends. This includes hospitalisations, mortality, vaccinations, some GP attendances, and other respiratory illness reported by the NHS.
