Penelope Canonico
08/02/2021 16:10
Clarín.com
Society
Updated 08/02/2021 16:10
Under a new protocol and a gradual scheme, more than 700,000 students at all levels of the City's state and private schools are preparing to
return to mandatory full attendance
(except those with comorbidities or living with people at risk) from the
August 4th
.
The threat of the
Delta variant
, which is up to 60% more contagious and has already been detected in at least 80 cases from five jurisdictions, will not jeopardize -in principle- the scheme towards a
“new normal”
whose march will
continue
as
planned
.
Although, so far,
community circulation has not been documented
, there are two infections for which no epidemiological link was found.
The Buenos Aires Minister of Health, Fernán Quirós, confirmed that there are already
35 Delta coronavirus positives in the City
and warned that "the variant will trigger cases" in an irreversible and progressive way, but stressed that work is being done daily to take as long as possible.
"We
must proceed with prudence,
evaluating the result, the epidemiological situation of the delta and the evolution of intra-school cases. We monitor the most important variables and the health status of the City on a daily basis. Based on these data, we make decisions So, we are going to continue.
Every week will be a decision,
"they respond from the Health portfolio to Clarín's query.
In the City they also explain that it was decided to move forward with presence because
"the health situation
, which is going through a period of low viral circulation,
today allows it
" and that, in addition, "the boys when they are not in school tend to gather outside of it , without protocols ”.
Admission of students to Ort de Belgrano School Photo: Federico Lopez Claro
What is questioned?
From the National Ministry of Education they observe this panorama with great concern.
In dialogue with
Clarín
, Nicolás Trotta -who will meet with the Federal Health Council today- said: "The specialists told us that we must support the
distancing measures
so that the school is a safe space and reduce the chances of contagion."
And he questions: “
City did not present any evidence that confirms that the distancing can be eliminated
in order to be able to analyze it within the framework of the Federal Council and take it to the entire Argentine territory.
It is incomprehensible that these kinds of decisions are not made within the field of science and are
subject to speculation
.
It is a sanitary measure that goes beyond the educational sphere ”.
"Not that the city is manifesting 'we have evidence that with a meter twenty can have a safe environment in the classroom. "
Do not talk about reducing but directly to
eliminate the rift in the classroom
, that I consider root irresponsible " , sentence.
Minister Trotta questioned the Buenos Aires decision.
From the Buenos Aires Education portfolio, they replied that "
distancing is not eliminated, but rather a measure of average distancing is returned"
, upholding all the rest of the rules of care and risk mitigation (mask, ventilation, temperature measurement, tests, preventive isolation, monitoring of close contacts) "Among the different bubble groups, the measure of social distancing of at least 1.5 meters must be respected," they emphasize.
Regarding the questioned lack of evidence, they argue that "of a total of 700 thousand people, only 2.51% of the students tested positive since February" and that the data
does not imply that they have been infected within the school
( bubble infections were well below average).
“You cannot make the same decisions at the same time throughout the country.
The
protocols
and activities have to be adapted little by little
according to the minimum geographic unit
.
The federal council establishes a general framework for the rule and then each jurisdiction has to adjust according to its needs.
In this city, the epidemiological and sanitary conditions are in place
today for us to make this decision ”, they argue.
What about the bubble in a case of Covid?
If a
teacher
tests positive for Covid-19, he must isolate himself for 10 consecutive days until his epidemiological discharge.
The case is confirmed by test.
In turn,
all bubbles in which he has taught
must be
isolated
up to 48 hours before confirming his case
(by close contact). On the seventh day, the members of the bubble will be able to take the test to confirm or rule out a case of coronavirus and return to school with the negative result. Otherwise,
the established 10 days of isolation
must
end.
If a
student
tests positive, they must be
isolated for 10 consecutive days until their epidemiological discharge
.
In turn, the bubble to which it belongs and the teachers who have given classes up to 48 hours before confirming this case must be isolated (by close contact).
On the seventh day, the members of the bubble can take the test to confirm or rule out a case of COVID-19 and return to school with the negative result.
If not, they must end the established 10 days of isolation.
The negative test result after 7 days
must be presented in a
compulsory
manner
at the school to be able to return to the establishment before 10 days.
$
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