Buhari Govt Warned Not To Reopen Schools (See Why)

Medical doctors under the auspices of Pediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN) have warned the federal government against reopening schools following the increasing cases of COVID-19.

The group made this known in a statement by its President, Prof. Edward Alikor and Secretary Dr Petronila Tabansi.

PAN stated that the current upward trend in COVID-19 infections, the evolving and changing scientific facts about the pandemic do not support the call to reopen schools.

PAN said: “Figures from Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), show exponential rise in Covid-19 incidence and deaths. It would appear that Nigeria has, at this time, not reached its peak incidence of the pandemic.

“Obviously, Nigerian health care system is grossly ill-equipped to absorb sudden surges in cases of Covid-19 in our schools. We are still learning about the effect of Covid-19 in the human body including the long-term effect of the virus in various organs, even in asymptomatic carriers including children.

“Ghana which reopened its schools three week ago has reported 55 new Covid-19 cases in students of Accra Girls Senior High School alone within two weeks of reopening”.

The group stated that a steady and consistent decline in the spread of COVID-19 should be the minimum condition to consider before the reopening of schools.

PAN expressed support the continued closure of Nigerian schools and urges the schools should remain closed until conditions are safe.

Naija News reports that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Wednesday, July 22 reported five hundred and forty-three confirmed new cases of Coronavirus pandemic in the country.

According to the health agency in a report on its official website, 8 COVID-19 related deaths were recorded in Nigeria on Wednesday.

The development brings the overall COVID-19 related death in the country to 813, while 15815 people have been discharged of the dreaded virus.

As at the time this report is given, overall confirmed cases of the novel virus in Nigeria since its emergence is now 38344.