Southwark school children could have to wear masks again after a rise in Covid-19 infections, according to the borough’s director of public health.
Sangeeta Leahy told the health and wellbeing board last week that she would be asking Public Health England for permission to bring masks back in schools. Students have not been required to wear face coverings in schools since May 17.
The news comes as coronavirus cases in Southwark more than doubled in the first week of June to 211, although hospitalisations remained stable. The seven-day rate of infection was 66 per 100,000 people, an increase of 137 per cent compared with the previous week.
Most London boroughs now have rates above 25 per 100,000. Lambeth had the highest rate at 81 per 100,000.
Ms Leahy said that case rates were increasing rapidly – but that the vaccination programme was also going well.
“Our children are seeing more infections,” she added. “And that is what we would expect, as they are not yet the vaccinated population.”