KUWAIT: Despite the beginning of signs of a "second wave" of the novel coronavirus pandemic in several Arab and Western countries, as a result of which the authorities of some countries were forced to re-impose preventive measures, Kuwaiti health sources told Al-Rai that the "health situation in Kuwait is good and reassuring, and that the number of new infected cases is within expected figures."

Nonetheless, the health authorities warned of "negligence and laxity in applying preventive measures" and stressed the need that all citizens and residents display the social responsibility and awareness needed to prevent the spread of infection. The sources added that the growing number of new cases detected recently was the result of increasing and intensifying the number of tests in various health zones, but remarked that the percentage of new cases versus the number of tests maintained a good average last week - recording 16.5 percent last Sunday, 13.5 percent on Monday, 17.5 percent on Tuesday, 15 percent on Wednesday, 16.5 percent on Thursday, 18.2 percent on Friday and 16.3 percent on Saturday.

"The increasing number of new cases over the past few days does not mean a second wave, as the percentage of daily tests is still between 13 and 16 percent," the sources said. The sources stressed that allowing certain activities, such as sport clubs, spas and personal care outlets to move from phase five to phase four on Aug 18 and cancelling the partial curfew has contributed to cutting short the time needed to resume activities.

"At the same time, this does not mean the pandemic is over or less dangerous. It means the society's comprehension of the need to coexist and cope with the pandemic by adhering to health conditions and preventive measures," the sources said. They added that "health indicators during shifts between normal life resumption phases basically depend on measuring the rate of infections, the steadiness of case numbers and the percentage of ICU bed occupancy." Finally, the sources said health authorities are still assessing the situation concerning resuming commercial flights and reviewing the list of the 32 countries from which passengers are banned from entering Kuwait.

Classes back in Nov?
Meanwhile, Al-Rai quoted 'official educational sources' who noted that it is likely that students could be allowed back to schools in November. The sources added that the Ministry of Education (MoE) had accordingly contacted the Ministry of Health (MoH) reminding that some GCC states are preparing to reopen their schools.

"MoH replied that the issue will be discussed then in view of the health situation, the number of cases and vaccine availability," the sources said, pointing out that MoE had already set a plan to make grade 12 second-session students give paper tests upon MoH approval and respecting preventive measures and social distancing.

Separately, and following the inclusion of information about AIDS in school curriculums, informed educational sources predicted that MoE might in the future include some information about viruses, including COVID-19, in curriculums with the aim of educating students and providing them with the latest studies on these diseases and their health and economic impacts worldwide.

The sources told Al-Rai that a joint committee had been formed between MoE and MoH to work jointly similar to what happened during the swine flu crisis in 2010, adding that the committee had then decided to update curriculums by adding information about diseases as per modern studies and WHO and UNESCO recommendations.