NHS Test and Trace needs scaling up to reopen schools safely – study

The NHS Test and Trace programme needs to be scaled up in order to reopenschools safely, researchers have said.

A new modelling study has implied thatreopening schools in September must be combined with a high-coverage test-trace-isolate strategy to avoid a second wave of Covid-19 later this year.

Thestudy comes as Australian research found there was “low” levels of coronavirustransmission in schools and nurseries.

The modelling study – which simulatesvarious scenarios – examined the possible implications of schools reopening inthe UK coupled with broader reopening of society, such as more parentsreturning to the workplace and increased socialising within the community.