“Rainy Season and School Opening: Tips for Preventing COVID-19 and Influenza Outbreaks in Children”

Key Points:

• Predicting the epidemic situation during the rainy season in conjunction with the opening period There are likely to be 2 respiratory diseases. The number of patients is increasing at the same time.
• Tips for preventing COVID-19 and respiratory diseases in educational institutions only child development center Kindergarten and elementary school
• Practices to wear a mask and should not wear it for students, including special groups of children. (Children with brain disease or respiratory disease Be at risk (608)

Keep an eye on COVID-influenza in rainy season-school starts

Dr. Sophon Iamsirithavorn Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disease Control (Mor.) said that in 2023 there is a high probability that there will be an outbreak of influenza along with COVID-19. The outbreak is expected to produce more influenza cases than in the year prior to COVID-19. may be found in tens of thousands
Therefore, it is very important that the 608 risk group should be vaccinated against both diseases, which in May this year the Ministry of Public Health (Sor.) will campaign on this matter. In addition, in the next 2-3 weeks Children with COVID may also increase. From the start of the semester, including other pathological diseases

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Department of Disease Control information Influenza cases were reported from 1 Jan. to 1 Apr. 2023, with 38,291 reported cases, 57.87 cases per 100,000 population. One death was reported in Songkhla Province, morbidity rate of 0.003, caused by influenza A/H1N1 virus.

While the number of COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital accumulated from January 1 to April 15, 2023, there were 5,4823 reports and 273 accumulated deaths.

The risk group for influenza was found in the age group 0-4 years, equal to 282.04 per 100,000 population. followed by the age group 5-14 years 219.73 per hundred thousand population and the age group 15-24 years 40.18 per hundred thousand population

In case of children should – should not wear a hygienic mask.

In preparation before the start of the 2023 semester, the Department of Disease Control issued recommendations for the prevention of COVID-19. and respiratory diseases in educational institutions only child development center kindergarten and elementary school

Thailand has a continuously improving trend of COVID-19. A disease prevention plan has been implemented when entering an endemic disease. Therefore, some measures have been relaxed. so that people can return to their lives Normally as close as possible compared to the outbreak.

Therefore, recommendations for the prevention of COVID-19 have been prepared. and respiratory diseases in educational institutions only child development center Kindergarten and elementary school as follows

for students

1. It is recommended to wear a hygienic mask. Only in the following cases

• Children at high risk of complications when infected with COVID-19 include children with underlying diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and chronic lung disease. chronic kidney disease Low immunity, obesity, HIV, cancer, etc.
• When there are symptoms of the respiratory system such as fever, cough, cold, sore throat, sputum, headache
• when traveling to a public place Including traveling using public services or entering a crowded, risky place such as a hospital, public transportation, elderly care facility, etc.

2. It is recommended not to wear a hygienic mask. the following cases

• Children under 5 years of age who are in good health
• while playing sports or doing outdoor activities
• While studying subjects that require reading facial expressions or reading lips
• Be in a well-ventilated classroom

Other tips for prevention

• Advise to get vaccinated against diseases as specified by the Ministry of Public Health.
• create healthy habits Especially washing hands with soap or alcohol gel after every activity.
• Avoid going to crowded places such as shopping malls. public places, etc.

for special groups of children (Children with brain disease or respiratory disease is a risk group (608) is a group that must be careful if exposed to the infection can have severe symptoms

1. Wear a mask to prevent infection from people around you. when going to public places, especially in enclosed places no ventilation

2. Do not wear a mask while doing strenuous activities or in an open, well ventilated place

3. Those who take close care of this group of children should wear a mask while doing activities with children.

for educational institutions

1. Carry out screening of children and personnel. before class (Screening for sickness)

2. Separate sick children from normal children. (emphasis on parents bringing children home)

3. Keep the environment clean, places, equipment, tools, toys.

4. Provide sanitary facilities. And encourage children and personnel to use such as hand washing service points with soap, clean water, alcohol gel, etc.

However, in addition to the advice Educational institutions can consider allowing children to wear face masks. as appropriate at the discretion of the school administrators