Health Secretary Carlos Mellado said Saturday that the Department of Health has not accepted any recommendations to promote the closure of schools in Puerto Rico.
This is after the COVID-19 surveillance system of the Department of Health issued a document recommending the closure of schools that had resumed face-to-face courses, at least until April 19, after the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases 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 secretary, the protocols in the schools “are rigorous, the educational staff is vaccinated and the monitoring is effective in detecting cases”.
“Therefore, promoting the closure of all schools in Puerto Rico is not justified. We have been very diligent in disclosing municipalities with a high level of community transmission week after week and we have promoted strategies focused on minimizing risks,” he added.
This week, 14 municipalities appear with a high level of transmission, so public and private schools in these cities cannot receive students.
“Our actions are consistent with the data and we will continue to be firm when we need to take action to protect the health of our people, especially our students. This is not the time to let our guard down, but this is not the time to talk about closing schools. This is where we have the most protocols at the moment, “Mellado said.