Unvaccinated US teacher infects 26 people in California elementary school

The teacher allegedly took classes despite exhibiting covid-19 symptoms. She didn't even wear a mask.

An unvaccinated teacher in a California elementary school infected most of her students after contracting the Covid-19 Delta variant. A total of 26 people, including six students in a separate grade and eight family members of the students' family, were infected after getting in close contact with the teacher, according to researchers from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).The teacher allegedly took classes despite exhibiting covid-19 symptoms. She didn't even wear a mask, the Guardian reported on Sunday.The incident comes at a time when US schools are reopening. Authorities have warned that anyone with covid symptoms should be staying at home.Researchers from the CDC have now called for a vaccination mandate in schools. Even as New York City has implemented this, children in California, in Marin county, were too young to be vaccinated, the report said.“Evidence has repeatedly demonstrated that multi-layer prevention strategies such as vaccination for all children and adults who are eligible; masks for all students, teachers, staff, and visitors; ventilation; cohorting; physical distancing; and screening testing work to prevent the spread of Covid in schools,” said Dr Rochelle Walensky, the CDC director, was quoted as saying at a press briefing on Friday.ALSO READ: Covid-19 'not developed' as biological weapon: US intel agencies fail to reach conclusion on virus origins Children aged 12 to 17 are eligible to be vaccinated, though coverage levels have lagged behind older age groups more susceptible to complications from Covid-19, the report said.Tom Frieden, a former head of the CDC, said, “Delta is doubly infectious, and we need to step up our game to keep kids in school safely. That means teachers, staff and eligible students need to be vaccinated, and everyone needs to be masked. Multiple layers of protection are essential.”However, Walensky added, “Unfortunately, many schools have opted not to implement these recommended tools. We recognize and are closely following cases and hospitalizations in children at the same time as school reopening.”ALSO READ: US Open 2021: Fans must show proof of at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccination to attend matches