School absence rates increase as more pupils fall ill
Absence rates by early December were already ahead of 2021's autumn figures, when Omicron took hold.
Below is an instruction that describes a task. Write a response that appropriately completes the request.

### Instruction: School absence rates increase as more pupils fall ill

### Response: Absence rates by early December were already ahead of 2021's autumn figures, when Omicron took hold.