Fatima Muhammad

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH – The Health Affairs and Department of Education in Jeddah have both denied any cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus in schools.



Jeddah Health Affairs Director Sami Badawood assured students and their parents that MERS-CoV was not present in schools.



He also stressed on the importance of personal hygiene and advised students to stay away from crowded areas and not use the personal equipment of others.



Badawood added that health facilities in Jeddah are equipped and ready to treat all cases. He also called on the public not to listen to rumors.



Speaking at the school health awareness campaign at the Prince Sultan school group in Jeddah, Badawood added that his department will continue its awareness campaigns in all Jeddah schools.



This will include lectures that provide information about epidemic diseases and increase awareness through brochures.



Badawood took a tour and examined along with his team the health clinic at the school and the first aid team.



He also provided a lecture to high school students.



The head of the education department in Jeddah, Abdullah Al-Thaqafi, who was also present at the event, said there were no MERS-CoV cases among teachers or students.



The situation is “stable”, he added.



“We put the safety of students first, and provide a comfortable and healthy environment for them.”



According to him, no schools have been closed and they have heath specialists visiting regularly.



Members of the National Scientific Committee for Contagious Diseases and the Scientific Committee for Combating Infections are expected to meet with Ministry of Health officials on a regular basis to discuss latest developments on the virus.



The ministry has also invited the World Health Organization (WHO) and a number of experts from Europe, Canada, the US, and East Asian and GCC countries, among others, this month to discuss the situation and the latest developments on the disease.