Kathmandu, January 29. Two epidemiologists and a researcher from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), USA on Tuesday opined that in-person schooling can be safe if the school and the surrounding community follow the health safety instructions. 

In the research article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, CDC officials claimed that the examination of the Covid-19 cases from Kindergarten to grade 12 in 32 schools showed a very little evidence that schools contribute to the spread of the virus. 

“The type of rapid spread that was frequently observed in congregate living facilities or high-density worksites has not been reported in education settings in schools.” said authors. The schools can reopen by following health standards and limiting its activities such as indoor sports practice or competition that could increase transmission risk.

The newly elected 46th president of the United States in the first 100 days of his tenure, have prioritized the resuming of in-person schooling. Last week, his administration ordered the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services to provide specific guidelines and assistance for the reopening of schools and childcare centres.

Click here to read the detailed research article entitled “Data and Policy to Guide Opening Schools Safely to Limit the Spread of SARS-CoV-2 Infection” published in the Journal of the American Medical Association on January 26, 2021.