This is one of the messages being issued to parents and guardians by Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh on behalf of Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly.
Speaking at the Ministry of Health’s virtual Covid-19 update on Wednesday, Deyalsingh said the health ministry will support the Ministry of Education in keeping Covid-19 at schools at bay.
This, following several reports of Covid-19 positive cases at schools, mostly primary, with some calling for online classes again.
He said he spoke with Dr Gadsby-Dolly on Wednesday concerning the school Covid-19 situation and she did not directly ask for any assistance as yet.
Deyalsingh said, “I spoke to the Minister of Education up to this morning and whatever assistance the Minister of Education asks of me, we would be ready, willing and able to provide.”
He said, “What the Minister of Education did indicate to me this morning, and I have her agreement to say this, she asked that parents who have children who are ill with flu-like symptoms, keep them home so you don’t go into the school environment and spread whatever it is.
“And two, she has asked me to ask parents, if you are notified that your child is ill and has to come home, that you do that as soon as humanly possible.”
Deyalsingh was also asked about the Ministry of Health’s involvement with the school system.
He said, “The Ministry of Health advised the Ministry of Education as early as 2020 that schools are going to be a particular challenge and that the Ministry of Education should set up with the advice and concurrence with the Ministry of Health their own response unit.”
Deyalsingh added, “It’s not that we always defer.”
As it relates to information, the minister said, “The District Health response team of the Ministry of Education will work in conjunction with the County Medical Officers of Health and then all that aggregated comes up to the Ministry of Health.”
And regarding the paediatric formula of the Pfizer vaccine, Deyalsingh maintains that a date has not yet been set for the arrival of the 40,000 vaccines from Spain, a gift from the Spanish government, but the necessary paperwork was completed.
He said the ministry has also attempted to obtain vaccines through a CARICOM initiative through the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and from direct suppliers.
“Of the three, the one that seems to be bearing the most fruit is going to be the donation route but we are still pursuing either direct purchase and/or the CARICOM initiative,” Deyalsingh said.
