According to a senior health official, the government-recommended bubble system can be an effective preventative tool in helping to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19 within schools.

Dr. Jameela Alajmi, Senior Consultant Infectious Diseases, Executive Director Infection Prevention and Control at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), explained that maintaining bubbles or specific groups that do not mix enables easier and faster identification of those who need to be self-isolated.

With the aim of keeping children safe at schools, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education had announced that the bubble system will continuously be observed inside the classrooms and the entry and exit of students will be regulated to prevent overcrowding for the academic year 2021-22.

Because of a multitude of reasons, Dr. Alajmi believes that using the bubble system in elementary schools is usually more beneficial than using social distancing among children.

"For example, children struggle to separate at an early age; primary schools are also smaller in size making it easier to implement the bubble system. The bubbles should ideally contain up to 8 children and no more than 16 children in each group," she added.

In Qatar, schools are continuing to take all precautionary precautions, such as sanitizing surfaces, wearing masks, keeping a safe distance, washing hands or using hand sanitizer, and not sharing meals.

Nonetheless, with the rising number of COVID -19 cases around the world, protection against the virus in schools remains critical.

The new school year will begin with COVID-19 precautionary measures in place. Here are some of the key measures that you and your children should be aware of: pic.twitter.com/gSTgzTUTO7

— مؤسسة حمد الطبية (@HMC_Qatar) August 26, 2021

With schools containing a mixture of vaccinated and unvaccinated students, the Ministry of Public Health recommended all students, teachers, staff, and school visitors regardless of vaccination status to wear masks.

Dr. Alajmi further stated that if a student or staff person tests positive for COVID-19 and the school is alerted, close contacts (including families of close contacts in the school setting) should be told of the exposure, as per applicable privacy and other laws.

Furthermore, children, workers, and educators who have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19 should be tested and begin quarantine.

On the other hand, someone who has been fully vaccinated and shows no signs or symptoms of COVID-19 is an exception. Such a person who has been exposed to someone with proven COVID-19 does not need to be quarantined but should be tested 3 to 5 days after the exposure.

Regardless of vaccination status or prior infection, any close contact who tests positive for COVID-19 or has symptoms should be isolated.

Dr. Alajmi noted that children may be apprehensive or hesitant to return to school, especially if they have been learning at home for months.

She recommends parents to talk openly with their children about what concerns them, as well as to explain to them the changes they can expect at schools, such as wearing masks and keeping a safe distance from their peers and teachers.

For more information on HMC, please visit their website. 

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Cover Image Credit and Source: The Peninsula