There has been a near 50 per cent drop in both the number of lateral flow Covid tests carried out and the number of positive results in colleges and 16-19 schools in England in the past week, Tes analysis of Department of Health and Social Care data reveals.

In the seven-day period beginning 1 April, 135,591 Covid lateral flow tests were conducted in these institutions - of these, 152 were positive.

That period covered the Easter holidays for many colleges in England, which will go some way to explaining the drop. 

Previous analysis from Tes found that in the week beginning 25 March, 261,154 Covid lateral flow tests took place, of which 298 were positive. 

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Last week’s results: 22 per cent drop in positive results

Covid tests in colleges and 16-19 schools in England

Seven days from 1 April-7 April

• Overall registered tests conducted in secondary schools and colleges: 1,924,729
• Registered tests conducted in colleges and 16-19 schools: 135,591
• Overall positive tests in secondary schools and colleges: 1,696
• Overall positives in colleges and 16-19 schools: 152 
• Overall negatives in secondary schools and colleges: 1,920,633
• Overall negatives in colleges and 16-19 schools: 135,256
• Overall unknown/void tests in secondary schools and colleges: 2,400
• Overall unknown/void tests in colleges and 16-19 schools: 183

Seven days from 25 March-1 April

• Overall registered tests conducted in secondary schools and colleges: 2,931,291
• Registered tests conducted in colleges and 16-19 schools: 261,154
• Overall positive tests in secondary schools and colleges: 3,474
• Overall positives in colleges and 16-19 schools: 298
• Overall negatives in secondary schools and colleges: 2,923,923
• Overall negatives in colleges and 16-19 schools: 260,497
• Overall unknown/void tests in secondary schools and colleges: 3,894
• Overall unknown/void tests in colleges and 16-19 schools: 449