Health Minister Carlos Mellado said on Saturday that the Health Department has not accepted any recommendation promoting the closure of schools in Puerto Rico.
This after the Department of Health’s COVID-19 Surveillance System issued a document recommending the closure of schools that had resumed face-to-face classes, at least until April 19, following the increase in COVID cases – 19 on the island.
“Schools, both public and private, are safe. Schools are constantly monitored by the Surveillance System and to date there has not been a single outbreak of COVID-19 on a school campus,” Mellado said in written statements.
According to the health minister, protocols in schools are “rigorous, educators are vaccinated and monitoring is effective in detecting cases”.
Therefore, promoting the closure of all schools in Puerto Rico is not warranted. In fact, we have been diligent in publicizing congregations with a high level of community transfer week after week, and we have promoted strategies aimed at minimizing of risks, ”he added.
This week, 14 municipalities with a high transmission level appear, so public and private schools in those cities cannot receive students.
“Our actions are consistent with the data and we will remain steadfast as we must take steps to protect the health of our people, especially our students. Now is not the time to relax our vigilance, but neither is it. the time. to talk about closing schools. This is where we have the most protocols right now, “noted Mellado.