France: Has the closure of schools had an impact on the epidemic?

2021-04-29T19:42:15.434Z

In France, after a period of distance learning, then vacation, schoolchildren returned to school on Monday April 26. The middle school and high school students will return to class during the week proc…

France: Has the closure of schools had an impact on the epidemic?

After three weeks of closure, nursery and primary schools are welcoming their students back to France (illustrative photo, taken on March 30, in the Jeanne d'Arc private school, in Saint-Maur-des-Fosses, near Paris).

Text by: RFI Follow

3 min

In France, after a period of distance learning, then vacation, schoolchildren returned to school on Monday April 26.

College and high school students will return to class next week.

The closure of schools will therefore have lasted three weeks for some, four for others.

The aim of this measure, coupled with others, was to curb the dynamics of the epidemic.

So can we assess the impact?

Publicity

Some data first: the spread of the virus seems to be slowing for more than two weeks.

The incidence rate is falling, even if it remains very high: it has fallen from around 410 cases per 100,000 inhabitants to 340. And it is among those under 14 that the decrease is greatest.

However, it is difficult to interpret the figures finely: the number of tests has dropped significantly, especially in this age group.

► Read also: Covid in France: first step in the gradual lifting of restrictions

In addition to the closure of schools, certain elements may also have played a role in slowing the circulation of the virus and it is difficult to disentangle the share of each.

Thus the use of teleworking increased (during this period), most stores had to lower the curtain everywhere in France and the other restrictive measures which concerned about twenty departments were also extended to the whole of France. territory.

► To read also:

Covid at school: "As soon as there is a case in a class, the class is closed"

It remains that we know that the closing of schools slows down the epidemic, scientific studies show it;

the previous school holidays too, (except for Christmas which was conducive to family gatherings).

Note that according to a study by the Institut Pasteur conducted in France, having a child who goes to college or high school represents an increased risk of infection of 30% for parents.

France: Has the closure of schools had an impact on the epidemic?

France: Has the closure of schools had an impact on the epidemic?

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