Children fuel English COVID case rise after slow vaccine start

FILE PHOTO: Students attend a lesson at Weaverham High School, as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown begins to ease, in Cheshire, England, March 9, 2021. REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff

LONDON (Reuters) - The spread of COVID-19 among children in England is fuelling a recent rise in cases nationally and causing concern among some scientists that vaccines are being rolled out in schools too slowly, risking the welfare of children and adults alike.

COVID-19 cases in Britain as a whole are much higher than in other European countries and are rising. On Friday one survey suggested prevalence was at its highest level since January, with 8% of secondary school children infected.