Public health experts have called for a deeper epidemiological study and documentation of the transmission of COVID-19 in the two schools in Malappuram district and draw lessons from the incident as schoolchildren may play a key role in augmenting disease transmission through the community.
This is especially so as children, while they are as susceptible as adults to the disease, have mostly asymptomatic or mild infection and in all likelihood would go unrecognised as potential disease transmitters.
Chance for repeat
Schools in State are set for reopening in full strength and similar incidents are likely to be repeated in all districts. Finding and breaking disease transmission in the younger population is thus a priority or else huge outbreaks can result in the community, says T.S. Anish, Associate Professor of Community Medicine, Thiruvananthapuram Medical College.
“Many adults have already had natural infection and are in the process of getting vaccinated and this herd immunity…