Nearly 400,000 pupils absent within a week as scientists raise concerns about plan to replace isolation with tests
At least one in 20 children were absent from state schools in England because of Covid within the last week, as official figures reveal a 66% increase in the number of pupils with confirmed coronavirus infections.
The data, compiled by the Department for Education (DfE), means that last week there was the most disruption to education since schools fully reopened in March, with nearly 400,000 children and young people out of school for Covid-related reasons.
