The rare joint statement from the top health advisers to the governments of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland represents a boost for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson who has said getting children back to school is a national priority.
LONDON - The chief medical officers of the United Kingdom have said children should return to school after the summer holidays, warning that missing out on their education posed much bigger risks to them than catching COVID-19.
“Very few, if any, children or teenagers will come to long term harm from COVID-19 due solely to attending school,” they said. “This has to be set against a certainty of long-term harm to many children and young people from not attending school,” the CMOs said in a joint statement published late on Saturday.
By contrast there was clear evidence of a very low rate of severe disease in children, even if they caught COVID-19, and an exceptionally low risk of dying. Johnson has said reopening schools in September is a social, economic and moral imperative, insisting they would be able to operate safely despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Covid-19 could have an effect on labour lawCOMMENT: Identifying three possible disputes that may be a real issue in South Africa.
Read more »
From cars to Covid: SA companies repurposed for ventilatorsCar manufacturers making breathing devices. The thought may be ironic, but during Covid-19 anything is possible.
Read more »
Woman braves Covid-19 for her three childrenZodwa Mokoena, 38, a mineworker in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga, said that her coronavirus journey started when her colleague developed symptoms and tested positive.
Read more »
COVID-19: Nigeria considers using private firms for coronavirus tests after foreign flights resumeLAGOS, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Nigeria is considering partnerships between state governments and private firms to ramp up testing and tracing of coronavirus cases after international flights resume this month, the head of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said.
Read more »