Taking care of children has always been a challenging task for parents and caregivers, more so during the time of a pandemic. And now that temperatures in the UAE continue to drop, there’s a greater need for parents and adults taking care of children to be especially vigilant to make sure that kids won’t be catching the dreaded coronavirus, even the common flu.
And just as the temperatures in the UAE continue to get lower than expected, catching the sniffles, a sore throat, or a little cough, should be enough reason to be alarmed but not to panic.
DHA Outlines Things to Do if a Child Shows Signs of COVID-19
In line with this, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has come up with some of the things that adults ought to watch out for when monitoring their children and when to best keep them safe at home rather than in school, the state news agency, WAM, reported.
The authority’s Parent Guidance Booklet notes that parents should not send their kids to school if they are manifesting symptoms such as:
- fever of 37.5 degrees Celsius and above,
- coughing,
- body pains,
- shortness and difficulty breathing,
- sore throat,
- runny nose,
- nausea,
- headache, and
- loss of taste and smell.
Moreover, the DHA recommends for parents to keep their children at home if any of the above-listed symptoms are reported. They should also inform the school of their child’s situation and to seek medical advice immediately.
If a child has come in contact with someone who tested positive for the virus, they should be kept at home. In the same manner, their close contacts should are also advised to undergo a 14-day home quarantine.
In other cases as in when going to school, if a child shows symptoms before boarding the school bus and onboard a car on the way to school, the same process should also be observed.
And when a child manifests symptoms while onboard the bus, the child must be seated in front and the health and safety officer of the school will be notified.
Upon arrival at school, the child will need to be immediately isolated. Parents will also be notified and they will be the one who will take their child for PCR testing.
And when the child’s condition starts to improve, parents should keep in mind to ask for a PCR test on their child before they send them again to school.
In line with this, the DHA reminds parents that they can only send their child to school again if their PCR test yields a negative result, their symptoms are also gone, and securing a sick leave certificate upon return.
COVID-19 Clearance Certificates can be obtained from the attending physician or by calling the Dubai Health Authority’s Helpline 800 342.
Other Guidelines to Observe
- Parents are reminded to avoid large gatherings. Parents should also regularly remind their kids to avoid crowded areas so as to protect themselves from getting infected.
- Children who are aged six years old and above should wear masks. For this reason, parents should always equip them with a handful of supplies inside their schoolbags along with a bottle of hand sanitizer.
- If the family has gone on a recent trip abroad, authorities urge them to update their travel and health history by filling up the form that is available on this website link: https://www.dha.gov.ae/en/Pages/coronaregistration.asp.
READ NEXT: Dubai Rolls Out Free Vaccination Campaign for Frontliners, Government Employees
