The Ministry of Education issued an update to the situation in schools this week, as Minister Claude Meisch revealed the results of the last six weeks.
The number of cases in schools rose along the same lines as the general population, increasing around mid-October. However, the proportion of infections among school-aged children and young people was far lower than the general populace. In the week of 1 November, 4267 new infections were detected, with 634 cases among school-aged people.
Romain Nehs, Head of the Directorate General of Secondary Education, and member of the steering committee "Covid-19 and Education", gave a presentation on the report's findings. These showed the significant increase in cases among secondary school-aged pupils, compared to those in early years education and primary schools. Students aged 15 and over were more likely to contract the virus, according to the figures gathered over the autumn term so far. However, the data showed that schools were not the primary source of infection, according to Nehs.
The phased method used in schools had thus far been effective in curbing the spread of the virus. The majority of infections found in schools to date were individual cases. Upon detection of a single case, the whole class was tested, and in the majority of these incidents, the virus was not found to have spread among classmates.
Meisch added that no school had been forced to close to date. A more detailed analysis into individual schools showed that classes with two or more positive case were in the minority, and quarantine had served to curb the virus spread in these situations. A 1,600 pupil lycée in southern Luxembourg yielded just four classes with two or more positive cases, and 30 with a single case - in each instance, the virus did not spread following quarantine and isolation.
192 classes in the whole country had experienced some form of quarantine to date.
In terms of measures going forward, Meisch explained that an additional scenario would be added to the phased model, to help determine the source of infection. Scenario 3 would apply if between 2 and 5 cases were detected in a single class; while scenario 4 will be added for classes with more than 5 positive cases.
Other amendments to the existing measures will include mandatory masks or face coverings for children aged 6 and over, (primary school cycle 2 and up) while they are moving through schools and hallways. Masks are not required when seated.
The rule of four will apply to school sports and canteens, while meetings of more than four people should take place virtually.
As of Monday, pupils in scenario 1 (one single positive case in a class) can be tested for coronavirus at school, with their parents' permission.
At present, the Minister said no further measures were due to be announced - however, he pointed out that individual schools were free to act as the situation requires, introducing stricter measures if they needed to. Three schools have opted to move back to an A/B alternate week model at present.
Potential changes on a national basis could see apprenticeships taking place on an alternate week basis, while school canteens could also operate an A/B system.
Meisch added that both schools and the Ministry were prepared to make immediate changes should the situation require them, with sufficient laptops and equipment to allow distance learning to take place. However, he said in terms of national measures, they would continue to follow government guidance for the foreseeable future.
Minister of Education Claude Meisch has outlined the position on Covid-19 in Lux schools
