The Department of Health (DS) reported through the COVID-19 Surveillance System in the 78 municipalities of Puerto Rico a significant increase in community-based coronavirus transmission.
The report published on April 7 corresponds to the tests performed between March 25, 2021 to March 31, 2021.
The report showed that “38 municipalities are at High Transmission level. Kindergarten to twelfth grade schools should be in exclusively virtual teaching mode.”
“The municipalities in the High Transmission level for the period included in this report are: Aguada, Aguadilla, Cap Roig, Camuy, Canóvanas, Carolina, Cataño, Cayey, Ciales, Coamo, Comerío, Corozal, Dorado, Guayanilla, Hatillo, Formiguers , Jayuya, Joncs, Lares, Les Marías, Loíza, Luquillo, Moca, Morovis, Naguabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Quebradillas, Racó, Riu Gran, Sabana Gran, San Juan, San Llorenç, Toa Alta, Toa Baixa, Trujillo Alt, Vega High and Utuado, ”the Health report notes.
On the other hand, 12 municipalities are “at the level of Substantial Transmission for the period covered by this report are: Adjuntes, Añasco, Barceloneta, Bayamón, Caguas, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Humacao, Las Pedres, San Sebastian, Baix Segura and Yauco.
“This means that schools in these municipalities must adopt mechanisms to ensure COVID-19 screening tests twice a week by teachers, faculty and staff working in these schools. Similarly, they must adopt mechanisms. ensuring that COVID-19 screening tests are offered weekly for all students, even if they could design strategies to select at least 10 percent of their students who are taking hybrid classes. or selecting all students of certain grades as long as they represent at least 10 percent of the student population.These screening tests will be in addition to those required for all students who have symptoms, in which case it is recommended that are diagnostic (or molecular) tests. Prior to the tests, the consent of the people in charge of the student and the consent of the child must be taken into account “, the report states. e of the DS.
While 22 municipalities are “at the level of Moderate Transmission for the period included in the report. These are: Aguas Bones, Aibonito, Arecibo, Arroyo, Barranquitas, Cidra, Florida, Guayama, Guánica, Isabela, Juana Díaz, Lajas, Manatí , Maunabo, Mayagüez, Peñuelas, Ponce, Salines, Santa Isabel, Vieques, Villalba and Yabucoa “.
“Schools in these municipalities should adopt mechanisms to ensure COVID-19 screening tests once a week by teachers, faculty and staff working in these schools. Similarly, they should adopt mechanisms to ensure that s offer COVID-19 screening tests to select at least 10 percent of their students who are taking hybrid classes. Sampling can be random or selecting all students in certain grades as long as they represent at least 10 percent. These screening tests will be in addition to those that should be done to any student who has symptoms, in which case it is recommended that they be diagnostic (or molecular) tests.These screening tests will be additional to those should be performed on any student who presents with symptoms, in which case they are recommended to be diagnostic (or molecular) tests.Before performing the tests, the consent of the people in charge of the student and with the consent of the minor.
Finally, six “municipalities are at the Low Transmission level for the period covered in this report. These are: Ceiba, Culebra, Fajardo, Maricao, Patilles and San Germán.”
“In the event that the Department of Health adopts the strategy of continuous screening tests, schools in these municipalities must adopt mechanisms to ensure screening tests of COVID-19 once a week by teachers, teachers and staff working These screening tests will be in addition to those that must be done to any student who has symptoms, in which case it is recommended that they be diagnostic (or molecular) tests.Previous to do the tests, you must have the consent of the people in charge of the student and with the consent of the minor “, indicates the report of Health.