1 in 10 nursery staff positive for Covid in last 7 weeks!

[J371172]

Sorry I don’t know how to do links but if this article on ITV is to be believed, then that makes me pretty nervous about going to work! I wonder if that’s waaaaay above other workplaces or if it’s pretty standard.

Not surprised. Our school nursery had to close because of a case and just when it was about to reopen there was another case so shut again. We're hoping and praying there isn't another case before this round is up!

I’m not sure why there is the need to deny the nursery issue. Before Christmas it tore through my nieces nursery 10+ Cases in one bubble. Children first then adults. The new variant isn’t really that fussy.

My nursery is currently shut due to 6 staff with Covid including myself. When we return next week everybody will have to wear facemasks 11 and a half hours a day. It's going to be horrible.

Sadly you will get the same ppl denying there is any risk at nursery because they are desperate to keep them open at all costs.
And of course keeping them open saves the government having to pay out so they are happy to keep them open.
If we had a bigger voice like teachers and a union we would of been shut.

[quote MRex]You are aware that 10% is lower than the 12.1% of the general population, right?
"One in eight people had Covid antibodies in England in December | Coronavirus | The Guardian" amp.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/19/one-eight-people-covid-antibodies-england-december-ons[/quote]
Thank you. I was about to make this point too.

My nursery manager had covid, which she caught from her OH who got covid from his place of work- A warehouse.

Another key worker at nursery got covid, but she hadn’t been to nursery for 2 weeks before; but had been to a hospital appointment.

Another worker got covid from their teenager who went to school.

I don’t think any so far has got it from nursery...

And my blame lies not with the parents sending their kids in- after all nurseries are open and they are paying for a service so why not.But all blame lies with our stupid government for giving out false messages that nurseries are safe because its easier on their pockets.

Why would you expect them to be less than the general population?

1 in 10 over a 7 week period doesn’t sound high when you consider that 1in 50 of the population have the virus at any one time for most of the past few weeks. The population average will include all those at very low risk due to shielding etc as well. I think it reflects that this country has a huge problem with covid being out of control, rather than a specific risk to nursery workers.

@Ilovegreentomatoes

And my blame lies not with the parents sending their kids in- after all nurseries are open and they are paying for a service so why not.But all blame lies with our stupid government for giving out false messages that nurseries are safe because its easier on their pockets.

The blame lies in the fact there’s a pandemic. The rates in OP’s nursery are less than the general population at large and you have no idea where they caught it

I work in a nursery. 18 staff in team.

In december 2 staff tested positive
In january so far 5 more staff tested positive (including myself and pretty certain i got it at work)

We are more at risk at work because no one else would be expected to have other people coughing and sneezing in your face. Those of you insisting that the risk in Nurseries is low okey dokey stop wearing masks and stop your social distancing then, ask several people a day to cough in your face and touch your face with dirty hands. Then ask yourself exactly how safe you feel? Other professions are least allowed PPE.
Oh and we aren’t all white,fit and healthy 18 year olds (I’m mid 50s). And anyway unless you’ve been living under a rock you may have heard the new variant seems to like younger people.

Two weeks ago a child tested positive in the baby room of our nursery, last week another child tested positive in the three year old room and now three staff have tested positive . All but two of the rest of the staff have to isolate now so the nursery have to shut for a week.

I don't know why nursery staff aren't being prioritised for vaccination as they work without Ppe abs in close proximation to the children

The problem is it's convenient for the economy for nurseries to stay open but inconvenient for it to be remembered that as adult staff we are as much at risk as anyone else even if young children aren't at high risk by attending. I don't think the staff begrudge being available for the families and children at our settings but they do begrudge the fact we aren't recognised and prioritised for health care - such as all settings having in house lateral flow tests available, vaccination priorities etc and proper financial support for the nurseries if staff are off isolating or sick or if parents choose not to send in children. Staff deserve more than SSP if they catch Covid from a working environment where there is no PPE provided. These things need to be addressed by the government if they are wanting our sector to continue giving education and professional support to the children and families in early years.

And no, I don't really want nurseries to shut. I need to work and the children thrive in our care and it gives them a bit of normality but I don't expect my family to get into debt because I am made to isolate if someone in our bubble gets Covid. SSP is impossible to live on for a single parent family.

My daughter is a nursery nurse and her nursery had to shut. 1 staff member tested positive then a further 6 staff and 2 children positive.

"How do they know this? When you do a test you dont put your occupation!!"

We have to notify OFSTED if anyone tests positive. That's childminders as well, though they don't seem to be included in any of the stats.

Having said that, I see that the Early Years Alliance has made a point of including childminders in the article quoted. It's the first time I've seen us mentioned.

@Remmy123

How do they know this? When you do a test you dont put your occupation!!

I'm sure I did?!

Questions have changed - there are more now

@Cyw2018

We’ve had 9 white women under the age of 55 at a normal weight with no underlying health conditions at my work all test positive.
My cousin was also a white woman under the age of 55 at a normal weight with no underlying health conditions and she died aged 34 leaving behind 3 children. She caught it from the covid ward she worked on as a critical care nurse.
My next door neighbour is a white woman under the age of 55 with no health conditions around a normal weight and she is in hospital with covid.

But if you’re not worried then we should all be absolutely fine.

Oh and 8 positive cases in children at my sons nursery.