COVID vaccination mandate for Queensland schools, childcare won't prevent disruption, border reopening on track despite Omicron
3 years ago

COVID vaccination mandate for Queensland schools, childcare won't prevent disruption, border reopening on track despite Omicron

ABC  

Parents have been warned to prepare for another COVID-disrupted year at school and childcare in 2022, despite a state government vaccine mandate for staff. Key points: Childcare sector advocate Georgie Dent says staff departures and infected children could cause major disruptions UQ infectious disease expert Paul Griffin says schools need to adopt rapid antigen testing The Queensland Teachers Union says it supports any measures that keep its members safe From December 17, all staff and volunteers in schools and early childhood centres will be required to have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and their second dose by January 23, before the start of the school year. "In regards to the specific use of rapid antigen testing, the Department will continue to follow advice from Queensland's Chief Health Officer and Queensland Health to help manage the impacts of COVID-19 on students, staff and their families." Positive step to keep staff safe Queensland Teachers Union president Cresta Richardson said the union supported any measures that "keep students and its members safe". "It's a virus that doesn't choose one person over another, so having adults on a school ground who are vaccinated is good for the health and safety of all in the school, particularly the children," Ms Richardson said.

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History of this topic

Opinion: California’s new rules allow COVID-positive kids in school. Here’s the problem
11 months ago

Opinion: California’s new rules allow COVID-positive kids in school. Here’s the problem

LA Times  

The California Department of Public Health recently updated its COVID guidance to allow people who have tested positive to exit isolation sooner than before. This change came as a surprise to many — and it prompted some outrage when the Oakland Unified School District announced a new policy as a result, one in which students who test positive without symptoms …

Masks, social distancing back on as schools fear Covid-19 disruption
1 year ago

Masks, social distancing back on as schools fear Covid-19 disruption

Deccan Chronicle  

Hyderabad: Safety precautions to combat the spread of Coronavirus are being reinforced at many educational institutions following reports of a spike in cases in Kerala and Karnataka, while five new infections in Hyderabad took the count of active cases to 14. Authorities are issuing advisories urging students and staff to practice social distancing, ensure mask discipline, avoid group gatherings, undergo …

Opinion: California gave up on mandating COVID vaccines for schoolchildren. Here’s why that’s wise
1 year, 9 months ago

Opinion: California gave up on mandating COVID vaccines for schoolchildren. Here’s why that’s wise

LA Times  

A California Supreme Court decision last week reaffirmed that individual school districts lack the authority to require students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Unlike the other vaccines required for school enrollment in California, the COVID vaccines are unreliable at preventing infection or transmission, providing at best modest protection against infection for only a couple of months. We never had any …

FDA: Take 3 home tests if exposed to COVID to boost accuracy
2 years, 4 months ago

FDA: Take 3 home tests if exposed to COVID to boost accuracy

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — If you were exposed to COVID-19, take three home tests instead of two to make sure you’re not infected, according to new U.S. recommendations released Thursday. Previously, the Food and Drug Administration had advised taking two rapid antigen tests over two or three days to rule out infection. Thursday’s update reflects the evolving understanding of the accuracy of …

COVID-19 vaccine Moderna is provisionally approved for kids under 5. This is what we know
2 years, 5 months ago

COVID-19 vaccine Moderna is provisionally approved for kids under 5. This is what we know

ABC  

Australian children aged six months to five years old could soon be rolling up their sleeves for a COVID-19 jab. On Tuesday, Australia's national medical regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration, announced Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine could safely be given to young children in doses one-quarter the size of that approved for adults. "The study demonstrated that the immune response to the …

South Australia records highest number of daily COVID cases
2 years, 8 months ago

South Australia records highest number of daily COVID cases

ABC  

South Australia has recorded 5,784 new COVID-19 cases today, the state's highest daily total during the pandemic. Chief Public Health Officer Professor Nicola Spurrier told ABC Radio Adelaide this morning that the the state had "probably" reached the peak of its Omicron wave, but it was too early to tell. Professor Spurrier said authorities were working on "dual testing" for …

Rapid antigen tests compulsory for people presenting to WA hospitals, as COVID outbreak grows
2 years, 10 months ago

Rapid antigen tests compulsory for people presenting to WA hospitals, as COVID outbreak grows

ABC  

Rapid antigen test screening is being introduced in hospitals across Perth and the South West today, as the state records 26 new local cases of COVID-19. Key points: Rapid Antigen Tests will be conducted outside hospitals before patients are allowed in Rapid Antigen Tests will be conducted outside hospitals before patients are allowed in The tests will be used at …

Why rapid COVID tests aren't more accurate and how scientists hope to improve them
2 years, 11 months ago

Why rapid COVID tests aren't more accurate and how scientists hope to improve them

NPR  

Why rapid COVID tests aren't more accurate and how scientists hope to improve them Enlarge this image toggle caption Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images How much should you trust the results of a rapid antigen test? Sponsor Message That finding prompted the Food and Drug Administration to update its online guidance in late December to …

National cabinet to discuss COVID safe return to school, with planning underway to deal with staff shortages
2 years, 11 months ago

National cabinet to discuss COVID safe return to school, with planning underway to deal with staff shortages

ABC  

National cabinet will meet today to finalise a COVID safety plan for schools, as corporate staff in the New South Wales education department are told they could be required to teach classes if there is a teacher shortage. Key points: Political leaders do not want schools to close after they return this year Some lobby groups warn there will be …

Queensland records 22,069 new COVID-19 cases, Nurses Union calls for mandatory rapid tests for essential workers
2 years, 11 months ago

Queensland records 22,069 new COVID-19 cases, Nurses Union calls for mandatory rapid tests for essential workers

ABC  

Nurses are "angry" at the stressful conditions they are working under as COVID-19 spreads through Queensland, and say rapid antigen tests should be mandated and readily available for essential workers. Key points: The Chief Health Officer says data shows unvaccinated people were nine times more likely to end up in hospital The government is not moving to mandate third shots …

As COVID-19 surges, parents are worried about sending their partially-vaccinated children back to classrooms
2 years, 11 months ago

As COVID-19 surges, parents are worried about sending their partially-vaccinated children back to classrooms

ABC  

Parents say a lack of clarity around South Australia's 2022 school year is leaving them feeling nervous as COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the state. Key points: As the vaccine roll-out for children hits road bumps, some parents are worried about sending kids back to school Mother Megan Newman says her son is at particular risk due to his asthma …

Child hospitalization rates hit record highs as Omicron variant becomes prevalent
2 years, 11 months ago

Child hospitalization rates hit record highs as Omicron variant becomes prevalent

CNN  

CNN — Covid-19 hospitalization rates among children are soaring in the United States, with an average of 4.3 children under 5 per 100,000 hospitalized with an infection as of the week ending January 1, up from 2.6 children the previous week, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “For our youngest children, those who are …

Queensland parents' concern about sending children back to school grows as COVID-19 Omicron cases surge
2 years, 11 months ago

Queensland parents' concern about sending children back to school grows as COVID-19 Omicron cases surge

ABC  

There is growing concern among Queensland parents about sending their children back to school without being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as Omicron cases surge across the state. Key points: 478,000 children aged five to 11 in Queensland will be eligible for a smaller dose of the Pfizer vaccine from January 10 The Department of Education said it was carefully monitoring …

Queenslanders wanting COVID-19 test to 'do the right thing' or return to work left frustrated and confused
2 years, 11 months ago

Queenslanders wanting COVID-19 test to 'do the right thing' or return to work left frustrated and confused

ABC  

Queensland's COVID-19 testing clinics are so overwhelmed, many people are being turned away without getting swabbed, while others are going to extreme lengths to get tested to protect family members, satisfy work and childcare requirements, or to have elective surgery. Key points: You should get a rapid antigen test if you need to leave home quarantine or have been around …

Queensland records 5,699 new cases of Covid-19 amid testing clinic chaos
2 years, 11 months ago

Queensland records 5,699 new cases of Covid-19 amid testing clinic chaos

Daily Mail  

Queensland has recorded 5,699 new Covid cases as police are forced to control traffic at overrun testing facilities and residents are urged to get their booster shots. Queensland has recorded 5,699 Covid cases as police are forced to control crowds at testing clinics and residents are urged to get their booster shots Police were forced to assist with traffic surrounding …

Victoria records 2,738 COVID cases, four deaths and 361 hospitalisations
2 years, 11 months ago

Victoria records 2,738 COVID cases, four deaths and 361 hospitalisations

ABC  

Victoria reported four COVID-19 deaths and 2,738 new cases on Tuesday, in the state's highest single-day case tally since the pandemic began. Key points: Hospitalisations have remained fairly steady over the past week, despite case numbers rising Some health experts are pushing for greater use of rapid antigen tests as delays mount for PCR testing People getting tested for interstate …

Frustration and heartbreak as COVID-19 testing delays force some to spend holidays alone
2 years, 11 months ago

Frustration and heartbreak as COVID-19 testing delays force some to spend holidays alone

ABC  

Kate Perry spent Christmas in isolation and in tears, waiting for a COVID-19 test result she had expected to receive days earlier. But Victoria's COVID-19 commander Jeroen Weimar said one pathology provider that had laboratories interstate was taking "a little bit longer" to get test results turned around. Mr Weimar said the increased testing load from interstate travellers was "jamming …

Rapid antigen tests for COVID are being used at Christmas lunches across Australia. Should they be free?
3 years ago

Rapid antigen tests for COVID are being used at Christmas lunches across Australia. Should they be free?

ABC  

As COVID-19 cases rise across Australia, health authorities have made it clear they expect the Omicron variant to overtake Delta. But unlike the many millions of PCR tests that people have been able to access free in Australia throughout the pandemic, rapid antigen tests cost upwards of $10 each. As cases of COVID have increased with the loosening of restrictions, …

A Definitive Guide To COVID Rapid Testing During The Holidays
3 years ago

A Definitive Guide To COVID Rapid Testing During The Holidays

Huff Post  

golero via Getty Images For many of us, the 2021 holiday season hasn’t gone quite like we’d hoped on the COVID front. One thing to note when you’re shopping for tests: Rapid at-home tests are different from at-home collection tests, like those done through Labcorp, in which you take a sample and send it to a lab. This information can …

Opinion: My family’s Omicron question: What do we do now?
3 years ago

Opinion: My family’s Omicron question: What do we do now?

CNN  

Editor’s Note: David M. Perry is a journalist and historian and co-author of “The Bright Ages: A New History of Medieval Europe.” He is a senior academic adviser in the history department of the University of Minnesota. Once upon a time, I hoped that preventive measures would push Covid-19 from pandemic to endemic by the end of this year, but …

COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to be available in Coles, Woolworths from November
3 years, 1 month ago

COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to be available in Coles, Woolworths from November

ABC  

Supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths will start stocking rapid antigen COVID-19 tests from early November. "Rapid antigen testing is helping protect our distribution centre team members across Australia from COVID-19," a Woolworths spokesperson said. TGA head John Skerritt said there would be no constraints on where rapid antigen tests could be sold, including online and at petrol stations. Home tests …

What can Australia learn from the UK's return to school during the COVID-19 pandemic?
3 years, 2 months ago

What can Australia learn from the UK's return to school during the COVID-19 pandemic?

ABC  

This time next month, hundreds of thousands of students in New South Wales and Victoria will be back at school after months of home learning. Professor Russell also pointed out the UK had "minimal mitigation measures" in place when schools went back, and recently removed mandatory masks. Zoë Hyde, an epidemiologist at the University of Western Australia and member of …

COVID-19 rapid antigen home testing to be available from November
3 years, 2 months ago

COVID-19 rapid antigen home testing to be available from November

ABC  

Australians will be able to test themselves for COVID-19 at home from November, once the national medical regulator approves the testing measure. Key points: Rapid COVID-19 antigen tests will be available for home use from November Dozens of testing kits are already approved for use, but currently require the supervision of a health professional States and territories will decide how …

Rapid antigen testing could play crucial role in forging path out of Canberra's COVID-19 lockdown
3 years, 3 months ago

Rapid antigen testing could play crucial role in forging path out of Canberra's COVID-19 lockdown

ABC  

Even as the ACT inches closer to vaccination targets of 80 or 90 per cent, there will still be a major barrier to ending lockdowns. Yesterday ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr indicated that rapid antigen testing could be one of the tools in the territory's arsenal to stop the spread of the virus in the community. "With the new school …

WA Government announces new measures to boost COVID-19 vaccination rates in schools
3 years, 3 months ago

WA Government announces new measures to boost COVID-19 vaccination rates in schools

ABC  

The state government will introduce two new measures – including a school-based vaccination program – to make it easier for students and staff in WA schools to get a COVID-19 jab. Key points: Walk-in vaccination appointments will be provided to 16 and 17-year olds from next week This will be followed by a staged roll-out of vaccinations in schools for …

Queensland records two locally acquired COVID-19 cases in Brisbane students linked to Sunnybank cluster
3 years, 3 months ago

Queensland records two locally acquired COVID-19 cases in Brisbane students linked to Sunnybank cluster

ABC  

Two Brisbane school students have tested positive to COVID-19 but Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says authorities are a "lot more comfortable" about the state's most recent outbreak. Key points: The cases from the Sunnybank cluster have been in home quarantine 38 per cent of eligible Queenslanders are now fully vaccinated The vaccination program has opened for 12- to 15-year-olds Ms Palaszczuk …

Special COVID-19 vaccination arrangements rolled out for year 11, 12 students in WA
3 years, 3 months ago

Special COVID-19 vaccination arrangements rolled out for year 11, 12 students in WA

ABC  

Western Australia is pushing to get young people vaccinated as soon as possible, with arrangements being urgently rolled out to get Year 11 and 12 students through the doors of clinics. Key points: Special vaccination arrangements will be in place for senior students Special vaccination arrangements will be in place for senior students The Pfizer vaccine is also being made …

Don't send home entire class after positive Covid test, experts say
3 years, 3 months ago

Don't send home entire class after positive Covid test, experts say

Dutch News  

Government health advisors are recommending that primary schools do not send home entire classes if one pupil tests positive for coronavirus, Trouw reported on Monday. However, Trouw says, the Outbreak Management Team which advises the government on dealing with the pandemic, is recommending that only pupils who have ‘close contact’ with the affected child be sent home. The current rule …

Don’t send school classes home over one coronavirus infection, says outbreak expert
3 years, 3 months ago

Don’t send school classes home over one coronavirus infection, says outbreak expert

NL Times  

The Outbreak Management Team advised the Ministry of Health to relax the coronavirus measures for primary education as of September 20. This new school year, the rule still applied that an entire classroom must stay home if one child tested positive for the coronavirus. The OMT stated that the Cabinet can responsibly announce around September 20 that from now on …

Queensland records 16 community cases of COVID-19 on day three of lockdown
3 years, 4 months ago

Queensland records 16 community cases of COVID-19 on day three of lockdown

ABC  

Queensland recorded 16 locally acquired cases on the south-east's third day of lockdown as authorities hinted at when restrictions could be relaxed. Key points: Queensland's Delta cluster across several major schools now stands at 47 cases Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young says she's concerned she still does not know how all of the cases are linked School children have been …

COVID-19 vaccines, rapid tests to get NSW's Year 12s back in classroom
3 years, 4 months ago

COVID-19 vaccines, rapid tests to get NSW's Year 12s back in classroom

ABC  

Year 12s in Sydney's COVID-19 hotspots will be offered the Pfizer vaccine, and rapid testing will be rolled out in schools in a bid to salvage this year's HSC exams. Vaccinations for Year 12 students Big changes for shopping and schools as NSW records 177 new COVID-19 cases Photo shows A medical worker carries out coronavirus testing. "I don't think …

Interstate school holidaymakers book Queensland trips hoping COVID-19 won't close the borders
3 years, 6 months ago

Interstate school holidaymakers book Queensland trips hoping COVID-19 won't close the borders

ABC  

Ongoing uncertainty around border closures and COVID-19 restrictions in the lead-up to school holidays has brought another wave of cancellations and anxious waits for would-be travellers. Key points: Occupancy rates over the holidays have already dropped by around 20 per cent in Far North Queensland For some businesses, this winter could be make or break and depend on any border …

No vaccines for young children, but schools can reopen safely in the fall, a study shows
3 years, 6 months ago

No vaccines for young children, but schools can reopen safely in the fall, a study shows

LA Times  

Students wear masks and sit at socially distanced desks at a school in Ramona, Calif. Over the course of 2,000 runs of their model elementary school with a relaxed approach to masking, social distancing and isolation, a single infected child was likely to spread the coronavirus to an average of 1.7 other children over 30 days, researchers found. With students …

Fast coronavirus self tests for teachers twice a week until the holidays
3 years, 8 months ago

Fast coronavirus self tests for teachers twice a week until the holidays

Dutch News  

Teachers and support staff at primary and secondary schools are to be offered a twice-weekly fast coronavirus test from Monday, the education ministry has said. Use of the test is optional but education minister Arie Slob said many schools have already said they would be happy to cooperate. ‘Everyone knows that if we tackle this together and isolate infection outbreaks …

US Teens to Receive Vaccinations Covid-19 by Autumn, Younger Children Next Year: Fauci
3 years, 9 months ago

US Teens to Receive Vaccinations Covid-19 by Autumn, Younger Children Next Year: Fauci

News 18  

High school students in the United States should be able to receive COVID-19 vaccinations by the autumn, with younger students likely to be cleared for vaccinations in early 2022, top U.S. infectious disease official Dr. Anthony Fauci said on Sunday. Fauci said he expected the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to issue relaxed guidelines for people who have already …

UK Schools to Reopen, Backed by Frequent Covid-19 Testing
3 years, 9 months ago

UK Schools to Reopen, Backed by Frequent Covid-19 Testing

News 18  

British students, backed by a robust coronavirus testing program, are gearing up to return to school Monday after a two-month closure, in what Prime Minister Boris Johnson says is a plan to get the country moving closer to a sense of normality. The reopening of schools is the first step in the UK government’s plan to gradually ease COVID-19 restrictions …

Asking parents to do Covid tests on children for school would be ‘fraught with difficulty’, union says
3 years, 10 months ago

Asking parents to do Covid tests on children for school would be ‘fraught with difficulty’, union says

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Asking parents …

Rapid coronavirus testing scheme ‘may increase rather than decrease’ cases in schools, experts warn
3 years, 11 months ago

Rapid coronavirus testing scheme ‘may increase rather than decrease’ cases in schools, experts warn

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Experts have …

Minister wants to Covid test children at school doors
4 years ago

Minister wants to Covid test children at school doors

NL Times  

As soon as the rapid Covid-19 tests have been approved by the Dutch health authorities, Minister Arie Slob for Primary and Secondary Education wants to start an experiment with testing kids for the coronavirus when they arrive at school. Earlier this week, pediatrician epidemiologist Patricia Bruijning said that if the government wants to reduce the number of Covid-19 infections, it …

Rapid testing can wipe out Covid-19 spread within weeks: Study
4 years, 1 month ago

Rapid testing can wipe out Covid-19 spread within weeks: Study

Hindustan Times  

A new study published by the University of Colorado Boulder and Harvard University researchers claims that frequent and rapid testing could eliminate Covid-19 spread within weeks. The lead author Daniel Larremore, an assistant professor of computer science at CU Boulder said in the report, “Our big picture finding is that, when it comes to public health, it’s better to have …

More Covid measures needed in schools, pediatrician says
4 years, 1 month ago

More Covid measures needed in schools, pediatrician says

NL Times  

To further reduce the number of coronavirus infections in the Netherlands, the government needs to take a different approach in schools, pediatrician epidemiologist Patricia Bruijning said to Nieuwsuur. If we want the numbers to go down, I think we should also look at the schools," Bruijning said. "We took measures in many places to lower the reproduction number, but did …

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