PAHO: Reopening of Schools ‘Difficult’ Decision

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – As The Bahamas moves to possibly reintroduce face-to-face learning before the start of 2022, the Pan-American Health Organization is warning that the reopening of schools will need a careful balance. 

PAHO’s Director of Emergencies, Dr. Ciro Ugarte says there is a strong correlation documented in the United Kingdom and other countries, between COVID-19 outbreak incidents and the proportion of cases in school and university settings, ultimately resulting in outbreaks. 

On Tuesday, State Education Minister, Zane Lightbourne told reporters that he was ‘very hopeful’ students would return to face-to-face learning before the end of the year. 

Dr. Ugarte says surveillance and monitoring of symptoms among students will play a major role in the reopening of schools during the pandemic.