The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has asked school administrators not to allow individuals with temperature above 38°C access into school environments.
This is as the centre recommended the use of approved rapid diagnostic test kits in schools for testing of students and staff members upon resumption.
The NCDC gave this advice in its latest COVID-19 situation report made available to The PUNCH in Abuja.
According to the centre, the detection of the Omicron variant which has been found to be more transmissible has stressed the need to ensure the implementation and adherence to public health measures against COVID-19.
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The centre said, “The SARS-CoV-2 virus and its variants spread easily when people gather and/or come in close contact with one another.
“Therefore, as schools prepare to reopen amidst a fourth wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria, the NCDC strongly urges schools to take adequate precautions to prevent a surge in the number of students and staff members infected.
School administrators should ensure the following to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission within schools; daily temperature checks at points of entry. Those with a temperature above 38°C should not be allowed entry; avoid sharing of items such as pencils, biros, erasers, rulers, textbooks, etc; students and staff members who feel ill should remain at home and seek treatment at a health facility immediately.
Additionally, NCDC recommends the use of approved rapid diagnostic test kits in secondary school hostels and university campuses for testing of student and staff on school resumption and for those experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 during the school session.”
