A press conference was held by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and the Ministry of education and Higher Education tonight to discuss the latest news, developments and statistics of coronavirus (Covid-19) in Qatar. Co-chair of the National Epidemic Preparation Committee Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal, and Representative of the MoEHE Muhammed Al Bishri, chaired the press conference.

The following updates were announced by Dr. Khal

• Both here in Qatar and around the world children continue to be at very low risk of serious symptoms.
• Since students returned to classrooms on 1st September, a number of positive cases have been reported in both students and teachers in schools.
• Our track and trace teams have found that these positive cases did not catch the virus when attending schools- they caught the virus mainly at home during social gatherings.
• While any new case among children is of concern, it is important that we consider the big picture and review the data as a whole.
• In nearly two weeks since students returned to school, we have identified a small number of positive cases among children and teachers. While any new case among children is of concern, it is important that we put this into context. •
• Out of more than 350,000 students and over 35,000 teachers in Qatar, less than 0.2% have tested positive since schools reopened.
• The phased approach to reopening public places is working well. As we have seen with the return to malls, mosques, workplaces and offices, if people adhere to the preventive measures and follow the official advice, we can safely return to normal life.
• The same is true for the opening of schools as long as people adhere to the preventive measures the risk of contracting COVID is very small.
• All preventive measures are in place to keep children safe while at school.

The following updates were announced by Muhammed Al-Bishri

• A limited number of schools and classes have been suspended due to the discovery of cases of Coronavirus, which is a very small percentage compared to the number of classrooms and schools in the country.
• We recommend that parents do not send children to school if symptoms of infection with the Coronavirus appear.
• We are committed to continuing blended education, and from next week, parents will be given a choice between blended education or completely remote education.
• In the event of an increase in the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in schools, education will be suspended and students' attendance at schools will be relied upon only on distance education.
  
• The Ministry of Education and Higher Education calls on the community to refer to reliable sources and not to pay attention to rumours.
  

Sources: Qatar Television, AlMarsal Qatar, AlSharq Portal

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Nabeela

Content Writer

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