Tests in primary schools should be more generalized and more regular than what is planned by the National Education, otherwise the start of the school year could be "
very complex
", with repeated closings of classes, according to the Scientific Council.
To read also "School, whatever the cost"
"
In this unvaccinated population, the risk of intense circulation of the virus at the start of the school year is very high, and the rule of closing classes from the first case could make the reopening of the primary very complex, especially in the event of
repeated
closure
" 'the same class, warns the government council in an alert note. Also, he "
regrets the abandonment of screening (generalized screening or better reactive screening of the class when a case is detected)
" which would help achieve the objective "
of keeping classes and schools open in order to preserve education. and children's mental health
”, in the document submitted to the government on August 20, updated Wednesday and posted online Friday.
600,000 weekly saliva tests
The Minister of National Education, Jean-Michel Blanquer, announced Thursday "
a target of 600,000 weekly saliva tests
" in primary schools, which welcome around 4 million students.
Based on a recent modeling study, the Council indicates that "
a bi-weekly screening
" with "
a membership of 50% of the school population (...) would make it possible to keep the classes open if the children found infected are sent home
”.
Read alsoCovid-19: the health pass "will not be compulsory" in schools at the start of the school year, announces Jean Castex
"
The studies carried out show that above 50%, there is a value to be screened on a regular basis
", underlined Wednesday the president of the Scientific Council Jean-François Delfraissy, on France 2. "
In adolescents, screening could also bring a significant benefit for the control of the epidemic, especially since it will be practiced in a partially vaccinated population (greater than 50%) and where the efforts to be made to control the circulation of the virus will in fact be less important,
”according to the note.
In the same note, the advisory body also warns that the sanitary pass "
should not be understood or implemented as absolute protection against contamination
". It "
does not exempt
" from "
respecting the barrier gestures as much as possible
" such as distancing, ventilating the premises and wearing a mask, "
in particular for people most at risk
", he adds. .
