COVID-19: School closures still ‘last resort’ despite variants- WHO

The World Health Organisation said on Wednesday that closure of schools should be implemented as a last resort, be temporary and only at a local level in areas with intense transmission.

WHO said research had begun looking at the factors that may put children at risk, the long-term health effects on those infected, and the impact of new variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19 disease.

The organisation added that “authorities should check for new guidance, particularly with respect to the appearance of new and possibly more transmissible variants.

“Schools need outbreak prevention and management plans, including on ventilation, hand and surface cleaning, communication with parents, mask use and physical distancing”.