Less than a month before the start of classes, the Ministry of Public Health (MSP) published a series of recommendations to avoid contagion by covid-19 in educational centers. “Any symptomatic person should consult their health provider to evaluate the tests to be carried out in accordance with current regulations,” the statement highlights.
Before reboot, the MSP urges to “strengthen the proper use of masks in boys, girls, adolescents and adults”, according to previous recommendations made by this ministry. Although it clarifies that vaccination is not mandatory, The portfolio recommends “promoting adherence to vaccination in the target population, according to the National Strategic Plan for Vaccination.”
The statement asks “to be attentive to the possible appearance of compatible symptoms of covid-19 and in case of starting symptoms compatible with the disease, make a medical consultation with your health provider”, as well as “stay at home until you are discharged”.
“In the event that you have been identified as a recent contact of a confirmed case, you should follow the recommendations of your medical provider. Maintain correct adherence to prevention and control measures aimed at minimizing the risk of contracting covid-19, such as the use of a mask, frequent hand hygiene, ventilation of spaces, avoiding crowds”, concludes the first part of the statement.
Quarantine
In the event that a boy, girl, adolescent or adult has been a contact of a positive case, the person must contact their health provider to determine whether or not to confine them. In the event that the person must comply with quarantine, the provider must indicate its duration as well as the time of return to the educational center.
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“Actions in the face of the appearance of a confirmed case in an educational center should not be addressed as a closed community unless the appearance of an outbreak is identified,” the statement explains.which also points out: “An outbreak is understood, from the epidemiological point of view, as the appearance of two or more confirmed cases in a short time and space with a link between the cases.”
“In the face of a single confirmed case in a classroom, the identified contacts will not have a recommendation from an epidemiological point of view.” In other words, they should not be tested or quarantined, “regardless of their vaccination status,” the MSP points out.
In any case, the contact of the positive case “must carry out a self-monitoring of symptoms with immediate consultation before the appearance of symptoms compatible with covid-19.”
Two or more cases in the educational center
Faced with the detection of two or more cases in the center without an epidemiological link (for example, two cases in different shifts or classrooms), “The identified contacts of the case will not have a recommendation for testing or quarantine, regardless of their vaccination status, and must carry out self-monitoring of symptoms with immediate consultation before the appearance of symptoms compatible with covid-19.”
Regarding the detection of two or more confirmed cases in the same classroom or with an epidemiological link, that is, an outbreak: “It is recommended to perform an antigen test for SARS-COV-2 on all those who have been identified as contacts, or that is, exposed in the period of transmissibility”.
If it is positive, it should be considered a confirmed case and isolation measures should be initiated. The duration of the quarantine will be 7 days if you are fully vaccinated. If you are not vaccinated or incompletely vaccinated, it will be 10 days for asymptomatic patients and 14 days for symptomatic patients.
If the result of the antigen test is negative, a PCR test must be performed 5 days after the last exposure. If it turns out to be positive, it will be considered a confirmed case and you must follow the recommendations of your provider. Any contact awaiting a test result for SARS-COV-2 must remain at home until they have a result and the indication of their health provider, the report concludes.
The school year for students will begin on March 7 and end on December 16; From March 2 to 4, preparatory activities will take place in schools, according to the National Administration of Public Education (ANEP). In secondary, the courses will take place from March 7 to December 10.
