Recommendations on testing and contact tracing in schools are among measures being considered by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, according to chief medical officer Tony Holohan. The measures are included in new European guidance on tracing, testing of close contacts and the use of antigen tests in classroom settings. They feel the recent withdrawal of testing and tracing in schools has contributed to the jump in cases. It also suggests using “an optional stepwise approach” in addition to current measures, including ramping up PCR testing and contact tracing to minimise the risk of the virus spreading. The Sunday Independent understands Ms Foley wrote to the chief medical officer before children returned from mid-term break last week seeking public health advice around testing, tracing and vaccinations.

Source: Irish Independent November 07, 2021 07:09 UTC