Keep Schools Open In Places With Zero, Sporadic Cases Of Covid: Report

School reopening news: The institute has suggested that schools should remain open with health protocols in places where no cases of Covid or only “sporadic cases” have been reported.

There is no biological evidence that the current and new Delta Plus variants of Covid will affect children more disproportionately than adults, the National Institute of Disaster Management has said in its report on the vulnerability of children to the third wave of COVID-19. The institute has suggested that schools should remain open with health protocols in places where no cases of Covid or only “sporadic cases” have been reported. Health experts had earlier raised concerns about the Covid third wave affecting children more adversely than adults but recent scientific data suggests otherwise, the report said, citing studies conducted by the Indian Academy of Paediatrics and the Lancet COVID-19 Commission India Task Force. In areas where cluster transmission has occurred, most schools should remain open and closing schools should be considered only in areas that have seen an increase in clusters that have schools, the NIDM has suggested.