Dr Glynn: Risks are low for children as schools reopen nationwide

Dr Ronan Glynn, acting Chief Medical Officer saidchildren who display symptoms of Covid-19 need to stay at home.  File picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

As the majority of schools return this week, acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn has moved to reassure worried parents and teachers, stating that while cases will be detected in the coming period, overall the associated risks are low. 

Dr Glynn wrote an open letter to parents and teachers in which he acknowledged their worries over the return of children to school, but said: "The importance of schools for the overall health and wellbeing of children cannot be overstated, and the risk of Covid-19 has been carefully weighed against the very real harm that can be caused by sustained school closures."