The Department of Health (DS) reported a significant increase in community transmission of the coronavirus through the COVID-19 Surveillance System in the 78 municipalities of Puerto Rico.
The report published on April 7 corresponds to the tests conducted between March 25, 2021 and March 31, 2021.
The report showed that “38 municipalities are at the level of high transmission. Schools from kindergarten to twelfth grade should only teach virtually ”.
“The municipalities with the high transmission levels for the period covered by this report are: Aguada, Aguadilla, Cabo Rojo, Camuy, Canóvanas, Carolina, Cataño, Cayey, Ciales, Coamo, Comerío, Corozal, Dorado, Guayanilla, Hatillo, Hormigueros , Jayuya, Juncos, Lares, Las Marías, Loíza, Luquillo, Moca, Morovis, Naguabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Quebradillas, Rincón, Río Grande, Sabana Grande, San Juan, San Lorenzo, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto, Vega Alta and Utuado, ”the health report said.
On the other hand, 12 municipalities are “at the level of substantial transmission for the period covered by this report: Adjuntas, Añasco, Barceloneta, Bayamón, Caguas, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Humacao, Las Piedras, San Sebastián, Vega Baja and Yauco .
“That means that schools in those municipalities must put in place mechanisms that guarantee COVID-19 screening tests twice a week for teachers, teachers and staff working in those schools. Likewise, they must employ mechanisms that ensure that weekly COVID-19 screening tests are offered to all of their students, although they can design strategies so that they select at least 10 percent of their students to take hybrid classes. The samples can be random or select all students in particular classes, as long as they represent at least 10 percent of the student population. These screening tests are in addition to the tests to be performed on any student with symptoms, in which case it is recommended to be diagnostic (or molecular) tests. Prior to taking the tests, permission is required from the responsibles of the student and permission from the minor ”, states the DS report.
While 22 municipalities “are at the level of moderate transmission for the period covered by the report. These are: Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Arecibo, Arroyo, Barranquitas, Cidra, Florida, Guayama, Guánica, Isabela, Juana Díaz, Lajas, Manatí, Maunabo, Mayagüez, Peñuelas, Ponce, Salinas, Santa Isabel, Vieques, Villalba and Yabucoa ” .
“Schools in these municipalities must put in place mechanisms that guarantee the COVID-19 screening tests once a week for teachers, teachers and staff working in those schools. Likewise, they must employ mechanisms that ensure that COVID-19 screening tests are offered so that they select at least 10 percent of their students to take hybrid classes. The samples can be random or select all students in particular classes, as long as they represent at least 10 percent of the student population. These screening tests are in addition to the tests to be performed on any student with symptoms, in which case it is recommended to be diagnostic (or molecular) tests. These screening tests are in addition to the tests to be performed on any student with symptoms, in which case it is recommended to be diagnostic (or molecular) tests. The consent of the responsible persons and the consent of the minor is required to take the tests.
Finally, six “municipalities are at the low transmission level for the period covered by this report. These are: Ceiba, Culebra, Fajardo, Maricao, Patillas and San Germán ”.
“In the event that the Department of Health adopts the strategy of continuous screening tests, schools in these municipalities must implement mechanisms that guarantee the COVID-19 screening tests once a week for teachers, teachers and staff working in those schools. These screening tests are in addition to the tests to be performed on any student with symptoms, in which case it is recommended to be diagnostic (or molecular) tests. Prior to taking the tests, the consent of the student’s responsibles and the consent of the minor is required, ”the health report said.