CMO says COVID-19 outbreaks in schools unlikely

The Chief Medical Officer is not foreseeing any major outbreaks of COVID-19 when schools resume next week.

In fact, The Most Honourable Dr Kenneth George has given his full support to the phased return of face-to-face learning beginning on February 21.

“I would like the public to know the transmission in schools is an unlikely event. Transmission is more likely to occur in your homes where people socialise and where people live. Based on the protocols, the Ministry of Health strongly believes that schools are relatively safe environments for learning and once the protocols are adhered to there shall be no mass spread of COVID, or Omicron for that matter, in schools,” he said.

Dr George said that the Ministry of Health took guidance from several international organisations, including the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF, who he says were all supportive of the approach.

However, he cautioned parents that they should continue to be vigilant.

“If your child, or teacher for that matter, is ill they are to remain at home. This may sound simple but this to me is our greatest strength…. I think if we stick to these measures, the likelihood of transmission in schools [is] reduced,” he said.

The CMO also gave an update on the vaccination rate for teachers and students ahead of the reopening of schools.

“The vaccination rate for teachers is between 62 and 65 per cent. Obviously, vaccines are available for all adults, so from where I see it there’s no reason why teachers should not be vaccinated. So we would like to see that number well over 80 per cent,” he said.

“We have had around 10,000 students, representing half of the student population that could be vaccinated, receiving immunisation, so the Ministry of Health will continue to promote vaccinations.”

Dr George emphasised that even though the rates are not where he wants them to be, they would not be mandatory for children to go back to the classroom.

“We would like to see it nationally at 70 per cent, but it is not a requirement for the restart of schools,” he said.  (KB)