NCIRS is working with NSW Health and NSW Department of Education to track and understand SARS-CoV-2 transmission within school and early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings. We know school and childcare play a critical role in childhood and adolescent learning, social and emotional growth and that having educational services open safely for face-to-face learning is very important for children, young people, families and the community.

In partnership with NSW Health, Public Health Units and the NSW Department of Education, we have been conducting investigation of COVID-19 cases and contact testing.

This study is funded by NSW Health. NCIRS staff members involved in this investigation include NCIRS Director Professor Kristine Macartney, Associate Professor Nicholas Wood, Dr Archana Koirala, Dr Helen Quinn, Noni Winkler, Dr Lucy Deng, Evangeline Gardiner in addition to other members of the NSW School Study Team.
 

Latest reports - 18 February 2022
 

COVID-19 in schools – the experience in NSW: 18 October 2021 to 17 December 2021

This report provides an overview of SARS-CoV-2 Delta (B.1.617.2) variant transmission in all schools in New South Wales, Australia between 18 October 2021 and 17 December 2021 (end of school term 4). It also examines the emergence and transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant.

Read the media release here

Read the full report here
 

COVID-19 in schools and early childhood education and care services – the experience in NSW: 16 June to 17 September 2021

This report provides an overview of SARS-CoV-2 Delta (B.1.617.2) variant transmission in all schools and early childhood education and care services and associated households in New South Wales, Australia during the Delta variant outbreak between 16 June 2021 and 17 September 2021 (end of school term 3).

Read the full report here
 

Click on the links below to see other outputs of the study at various time points since the pandemic began in early 2020: