Conduct Coronavirus assessment weekly, Govt orders schools



Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, has directed all schools to be conducting coronavirus risk assessment every week. Saying that this is necessary as all schools re-opened.

The NCDC also directed local governments and states to be conducting monthly and quarterly coronavirus risk assessment in all schools under their jurisdiction respectively.

NCDC Director-General, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu stated this in a press briefing during an update on Coronavirus and school resumption.

According to Ihekweazu, “the assessment will determine schools’ level of compliance with safety protocols including physical distancing, hand-washing and the use of face masks, whose violation can put students at risk of Coronavirus.

“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 will be lesser risk of coronavirus 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.”

Speaking further on risk assessment, the NCDC spokesman Emeka Oguanuo, said it included the process of identifying and analysing potential gaps, threats that may cause a likelihood of COVID-19 spread.

“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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