Pune: The presence of SARS-COV-2 antibodies in 70% of children surveyed and adolescents in the age group 6-18 show that schools and colleges can be reopened safely even in the urban area of the Pune Metropolitan area (PMR), experts say , Offline lessons in “Covid free villages”, for grade 8 to 12, continued starting July 15.
But the authorities in urban areas continue to be careful.
However, public health experts say that 70% detection by PMR Jun Serosurvey proves the closure of the school does not always protect children from Covid-19.
The previous serosurvey, in September last year, did not include children under 12.
But in the bracket aged 12-18, the level of antibody detection was almost 36%.
Ten months later, Jun Serosurvey (who had included children under 12) found the rate of 70% in the age group 6-18.
Experts said the increase really supported the reopening of educational institutions because it fits the high trend of seroprevalence seen in adults.
“This shows that the closure of educational institutions does not take refuge by children from infection.
One cannot separate children and adults in crowded Indian homes,” said Senior Epidemiology Amitav Banerjee, one of the main researchers of Seroprevalence study at PMR.
“Second, opening educational institutions will not encourage community transmission because the level of seropocyitivity is high in the population,” he added.
As for the third wave, experts say that it is very unlikely to surge will “exclusively” affect children.
The Indian Pediatric Academy (IAP) said that in May this year that children were less affected because of “lower-specific receptor expressions where this virus binded to enter the host”.
IAP, what is important, adds that almost 90% of infections in children are light or asymptomatic.
“The incidence of severe illness is not high in children,” he said.
“We do not protect young people by closing school.
Closure causes educational losses, in addition to influencing the physical and mental health of young people,” Banerjee said.
Serosurvey June – Biggest PMR – found that 8,207 (81%) of 10,082 residents had antibodies against SARS-COV-2 in their blood.
It studied the occupants of slums, plots and apartments at eight Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) zones between June 16 and June 26.
The growing body of evidence has shown that schools can be opened safely.
But it hasn’t extinguished the debate whether they should be open and, if so, what steps should be taken to limit Covid transmission.
US centers for controlling and prevention of disease (CDC) also say the school can be opened safely without driving a community that spreads or places teachers and students at risk, as long as the steps are taken to reduce transmission.
“Such seroprevalence advisors and studies must calm anxiety between parents, wards and school staff,” Banerjee said.
In fact, experts say that if schools and colleges are reopened when the curve is stable (like now in Pune), there is a high chance to achieve immune herds.
“Children and young adults have fresh immunity, which makes them better in fighting infection.
It has a multiplier effect – if we develop it, we can protect many people,” said Delhi-based epidemiology Sanjay Rai from all Indian Medicine Sciences, New Delhi ,
Pune: Serosurvey suggests schools, colleges can reopen
