Medical experts say Covid-19 rare in children, back reopening of schools

Expressing support for the government's decision to reopen schools across the country from September 15, medical experts said on Thursday that coronavirus infections in children were rare.

They were speaking at a press conference organised at the Karachi Press Club by the Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Society of Pakistan (MMIDSP) on Thursday.

Educational institutes in the country have remained shut since March as part of coronavirus control measures, with concern that children could act as asymptomatic carriers of the virus even if they themselves were not susceptible to the disease.

Recently, however, with the government allowing most social and economic activity in the country to resume - albeit with defined standard operating procedure (SOPs) - schools too are set to open.

The coronavirus pandemic is a serious matter, but now the public is better informed about the disease, said Dr Azizullah. Adults are more likely to be infected with the virus with those with weakened immune systems or pre-existing conditions more vulnerable to the disease, he added.

The disease is rarely seen in children and those who are infected recover very quickly, he said, adding that educational activities should resume.

He was seconded by Dr Sadia Amir who remarked that the children's Covid-19 units have not been used much in hospitals as very few coronavirus infections in children have been reported.

Parks, recreational centres, and restaurants are now open and children are going there, she noted. "Based on that, if schools open, there is no harm in sending children to school."

However, precautions must be taken as the spread of the virus has decreased but the pandemic is not over, she added. Dr Amir stressed the need for school administrations to follow SOPs and urge children to do the same.

Meanwhile, Dr Asma Naseem commented that while the influenza virus spreads quickly among children, the coronavirus appears to have infected very few children. "People mistake the coronavirus for the influenza but they are in fact very different."

Similarly, Dr Shubha Lakshmi was of the view that children should be sent to school but parents should train their children and familiarise them with precautionary measures such as washing hands and avoiding sharing things with each other. Children must be made aware of precautions and implement good hygiene, she stressed.

Reiterating the role of parents in the reopening of schools, Dr Bushra Jamil said that children should be taught to practice social distancing, take care of their hygiene, wash hands and wear face masks. Schools also have a responsibility to prepare their respective guidelines and strategies in light of the pandemic, she added.

"Parents need not be afraid but be cognisant of precautions," she said, adding that it is also necessary to train teachers accordingly, and ensure proper ventilation in classrooms.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 11^th, 2020.