It is possible to keep the coronavirus pandemic in check in Europe while
also keeping the economy running and an education system in operation,
the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Thursday (20 August).
The WHO European Regional Office is convening a virtual meeting for all 53 countries on re-opening of schools and COVID-19 on 31 August where concrete actions will be discussed to ensure children receive proper education in safe settings.
Such options might include heightened hygiene and physical distancing in school settings for all and the introduction of targeted measures quickly and effectively to suit local circumstances, such as adjusting school schedules and limiting pupil numbers where cases are more widespread.
However, he cautioned that Europe must make sure that it adopts the right public health measures in order to contain the virus while normal life resumes, stressing in particular that the approaching influenza season will increase pressure on healthcare services.
“It is critical that countries monitor flu activity and restore and reinforce routine sentinel surveillance to include both viruses, and that they promote flu vaccination for at-risk groups. This is even more important this year as we need to protect our hospitals and health workforce already coping with COVID-19, from being overwhelmed,” he said.
“This year, even more than previous years, we must support older people to get their flu jab early, in a safe environment”, Kluge stressed.
Read more at:
Europe can contain virus without second lockdown, says WHO – EURACTIV.com
The WHO European Regional Office is convening a virtual meeting for all 53 countries on re-opening of schools and COVID-19 on 31 August where concrete actions will be discussed to ensure children receive proper education in safe settings.
Such options might include heightened hygiene and physical distancing in school settings for all and the introduction of targeted measures quickly and effectively to suit local circumstances, such as adjusting school schedules and limiting pupil numbers where cases are more widespread.
However, he cautioned that Europe must make sure that it adopts the right public health measures in order to contain the virus while normal life resumes, stressing in particular that the approaching influenza season will increase pressure on healthcare services.
“It is critical that countries monitor flu activity and restore and reinforce routine sentinel surveillance to include both viruses, and that they promote flu vaccination for at-risk groups. This is even more important this year as we need to protect our hospitals and health workforce already coping with COVID-19, from being overwhelmed,” he said.
“This year, even more than previous years, we must support older people to get their flu jab early, in a safe environment”, Kluge stressed.
Read more at:
Europe can contain virus without second lockdown, says WHO – EURACTIV.com
No comments:
Post a Comment