The 5P pupils of the Cressy school will undergo this measurement until the 1stis February.
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One of the students in the 5P class (8-9 years old) at the Cressy school, in Confignon, contracted the English variant of Covid-19.
LUCIEN FORTUNATI
This would be a first in French-speaking Switzerland according to the RTS which reveals the information: a whole class in a Geneva primary school has been quarantined because one of the students contracted the English variant of Covid 19. This British variant, more contagious, forces the cantonal doctor’s service to be more proactive in the management of cases, explained Aliki Metsini, head of the communicable diseases sector, at “19:30” Sunday evening.
On a Swiss scale, at least six schools would have been confronted with this British variant (Oberwil, Bremgarten, Cham, Frauenfeld, St. Moritz and Morbio Inferiore). In fact, it is in Geneva a class of 5P (8-9 years) of the school of Cressy, in Confignon. These children will have to stay at home until 1is February. In the letter sent to the families by the cantonal doctor’s service, it is recalled that the quarantine of an entire class, which in itself is not unusual, “is the most effective way to reduce contact and break the chains of transmission ”.
This type of measure could well multiply in the coming weeks given the increased transmissibility of the new strain. Contacted, Laurent Paoliello, spokesperson for the Department of Health, confirms that the case of Cressy is indeed a first in the canton, without speaking out for French-speaking Switzerland. He explains that with the new variant, quarantine at the scale of a primary class is automatic, while with the “normal” covid, this decision is made on a case-by-case basis after an investigation by entourage. “On the other hand, during the orientation cycle for example, there would not necessarily be quarantine because everyone wears the mask, it will be on a case by case basis.”
The English variant should not lead, in the current state of the health situation, to the closure of entire establishments. “We really want to have a minimum impact on the children’s school curriculum,” continues the communications officer. A quarantine on the scale of an entire establishment could be decided if one realizes that a positive child for the new variant has had extensive contact with congeners from other classes, such as in the gym for example. “
In addition, according to a letter sent by the director of the French school, children of this establishment were placed in quarantine because they were “contact cases” of a case of English variant.
Soon regular tests in schools?
The last weekly epidemiological assessment in Geneva allows you to get a first overview of the inventory after the start of the school year. During the second week of January (11-17), 113 students and 14 teachers were diagnosed positive for Covid-19. At this stage, there was no outbreak identified, “because all these cases were isolated”.
In a draft ordinance, the Federal Office of Public Health asks the cantons to carry out regular tests in schools. The Federal Council will examine this project on Wednesday.
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