Kids already protected, not at additional risk: Experts

There are two main concerns around sending children to schools. First, children getting infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, and the risk of severe infection among them, and second, children transmitting infection to other family members, especially elderly, the advisory states. “Data from Indian states, including the latest and fourth national sero survey, shows that children have already got Covid-19 infection at a similar or even higher rate than adults (mostly asymptomatic and with far lower rate of moderate to severe disease). Therefore, they are already protected and not at additional risk,” the advisory says.

About the fear of children spreading infection to the family members, the expert group quotes a report from 15 countries on school reopening and a surge in Covid-19 cases. “Only three countries observed an increase in transmission due to school reopening. However, this surge was not proven scientifically to be linked to school attendance,” the advisory says.

Schools have remained closed in most parts of the country for over a year on account of widespread cases of Covid-19. Chandrakant Lahariya, a leading public health expert and co-author of the IAPSM advisory, said it was causing a serious problem for the physical and psychological well-being of children. “Not all children have mobiles and laptops to attend virtual classes. Also, this is not a long-term solution. We must open schools,” Lahariya said.

While Delhi has a positivity rate of less than 0.1%, states such as Maharashtra and Kerala continue to have high positivity rates. Dr Lahariya said that, if at all, localised epidemiology can be taken into account for closure of schools in particular areas to prevent disease spread in the future.

The safeguards suggested by IAPSM while reopening schools include proper ventilation in classrooms, avoiding morning assembly for the entire school and training teachers to identify respiratory symptoms. The expert group has also recommended linking the schools to local health facilities or strengthening the school health programmes. On the need for vaccination, the IAPSM states that there is no evidence that doses for kids is essential.