School closure may only have minor effect on the COVID-19 pandemic

A team of researchers in the United Kingdom and Australia reviewed 16 studies to see whether closing schools could slow down the COVID-19 pandemic. They conclude that the effects are only marginal.

Writing in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, the scientists warn that the economic, educational, social, and health-related costs may outweigh any benefits, as the impact that school closure may have will likely be smaller than that of other public health interventions.

1 in 5 deaths in England and Wales related to COVID-19

According to the Office for National Statistics, during the week ending on April 3, 2020, COVID-19 appeared on 3,475 death certificates in England and Wales. This equates to around 1 in 5 deaths.

At this time of year, there are normally around 10,000 deaths each week in these countries, collectively. In the week ending April 3, there were 16,000 deaths — the highest figure since the Office for National Statistics started collating this data in 2005.

Previously, the highest number of deaths in a week had occurred during a flu outbreak in 2015.