A study by the UK government has found Covid-19 infection rates remain low in the country's schools, especially compared with the same period last year.
The Schools Infections Survey found that 0.27 per cent of primary level pupils tested positive for coronavirus while the positivity rate for secondary school pupils was 0.42 per cent.
The figures are considerably lower than in November and December last year, when authorities discovered a positivity rate close to or above 1 per cent.
The most recent study was conducted by the Office for National Statistics, Public Health England and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), and was carried out between June 14 and July 6, 2021.
In secondary schools, 0.27 per cent of staff tested positive and over one in 10 teachers had received at least one vaccine dose by the end of June.
The authors of the study conducted in-person tests in 141 schools across England, the majority of which (108) had no positive cases at all.
“School gate” measures to combat infections and prompt testing appear to have significantly reduced the spread of the disease, the authors of the study said.
Authorities say they hope the findings will reassure parents about the risk posed to pupils in the classroom.
The study also showed that the rate of infections among schoolchildren was lower than the rate in the general population.
Dr Shamez Ladhani, Consultant Paediatrician at PHE and study lead, said: “Through this study we’ve closely monitored the risks of Covid-19 in schools.
“Latest results show that infection and antibody positivity rates of children in school did not exceed those of the community. This is reassuring and confirms that schools are not hubs of infection.
“Keeping community infection rates low remains critical for keeping children safe and schools open safely.
“Thanks to all staff and pupils up and down the country for playing their part in keeping transmission of the virus in schools low.”
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French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
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Family: He is the youngest of five brothers, of whom two are dentists.
Celebrities he worked on: Fabio Canavaro, Lojain Omran, RedOne, Saber Al Rabai.
Where he works: Liberty Dental Clinic
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Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
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RESULTS
Welterweight
Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) beat Mostafa Radi (PAL)
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Catchweight 75kg
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Catchweight 69kg
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Catchweight 71kg
Usman Nurmogamedov (RUS) beat Jerry Kvarnstrom (FIN)
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Featherweight title (5 rounds)
Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) v Alexandru Chitoran (ROU)
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Bruno Machado (BRA) beat Mike Santiago (USA)
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Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
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VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
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Mr Al Qassimi is 37 and lives in Dubai
He is a keen drummer and loves gardening
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Sanchez's club career
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Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
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