More Covid cases among Berlin's schoolchildren

A student takes a Corona test before the first lesson.

In Berlin, 16,677 schoolchildren are currently confirmed to be infected with the Coronavirus.

Infection figures on an upward trend

The infection rate is thus at 5.0 percent. In addition, 1856 employees, including teachers, are also infected with Covid-19, meaning that 4.6 percent of staff are currently infected and in isolation. The statistics were published on Friday (Jan. 28, 2022) by the Senate Department for Education. According to the report, the rising trend in infections continued in schools - as in all other areas. The number of infected students is a good 3000 above that of a week ago. The number of school employees with a Coronavirus infection increased by just under 400 within a week.

Phased plan for Berlin schools

In 659 of 675 public schools, the Coronavirus warning light is set to green. 16 are yellow, which means that the number of infections requires alternate teaching or teaching in smaller groups. Since testing is carried out frequently at the schools, the picture conveyed by the statistics is considered to be comparatively realistic. Experts assume that the number of unreported cases is lower here than in many other areas. The incidence, meaning the number of infections per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days, is far higher than the citywide average in the schoolchildren's age groups.

Mandatory attendance suspended since Monday

Due to the Omicron wave, mandatory attendance at Berlin schools was suspended on Monday (Jan. 24, 2022). Parents can therefore decide for themselves whether their children learn at school or from home.

Student ID card not valid as test proof during vacations

During the winter vacations in the coming week, students cannot use their student ID as proof of testing. Since students are not tested at school during holidays, they are subject to mandatory testing in many areas, just like everyone else. This rule first applied during the Christmas vacation. Before that, the student ID card could also be used as proof of testing - for example, on public transportation or at 2G events.