The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said that schools have been mandated to conduct a weekly COVID-19 assessment to ensure that the spread of the disease is mitigated.
Afriupdate reports that this was announced by the centre’s Director-General, Chikwe Ihekweazu.
Ihekweazu said that the agency had observed the way other countries where schools have resumed activities have managed the situation, alongside the “guidance from WHO, UNICEF, and other public health authorities.”
He added that the agency was in partnership with the education ministry, the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, states, and other stakeholders to ensure that safety protocols are observed.
The DG said, “We have also continued to educate the public on measures to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19.
“We know that as the economy and society re-open gradually, we may record a spike in COVID-19 cases. We have reviewed the situation in other countries that have re-opened schools as well as guidance from WHO, UNICEF, and other public health authorities.
“There is lesser risk of COVID-19 cases in school settings, if schools carefully coordinate, plan, and put the required safety measures in place before reopening.
“We are working closely with the Federal Ministry of Education, PTF-COVID-19, states and our partners to ensure that the required safety measures are in place to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on our schools.”
“The PTF-COVID-19 and Federal Ministry of Education have mandated schools to conduct periodic (weekly) risk assessments. This is to review the gaps that may exist in reducing the risk of COVID-19 spread in schools, and tailor interventions to address these gaps. Local governments areas and states are to conduct monthly and quarterly risk assessment respectively.”
“In addition to this, schools are to set up school health teams including teachers and learners that would facilitate implementation of the safety protocols in schools. LGAs and States have been advised to set up multi-sectoral school health committees dedicated to supporting and monitoring the implementation of safety protocols in the school.
“Risk assessments in public health are also done to determine severity or degree of an outbreak. In this case, it is done to determine if school re-opening is safe and whenever a bridge in safety is observed, it can be addressed by relevant stakeholders.”
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