As many kids return from holiday break next week, there's a renewed focus on COVID-19 in schools.Health experts said it's important children get vaccinated and they also encourage testing after all those family gatherings.Cincinnati Children's Hospital will host a vaccination event at Union Terminal on Wednesday to help get kids protected for the new year."The next two weeks is really going to be watched very carefully and it's going to be sad because we are going to see a great increase in cases," public health expert, Dr. O'dell Owens, said.Following the Christmas celebrations and New Year's toasts, Owens said people should be on guard for COVID-19.He said that includes kids headed back to class."We have a history on every holiday that we've seen a surge, so this is not going to be any different. Especially with omicron being spread much more easily than the delta," he said.There are many districts that make use of a Test to Stay, Mask to Stay or Test to Play program aimed to keep healthy students in class or activities instead of quarantined due to an exposure.A Cincinnati Public Schools spokeswoman told WLWT that the health department will test students who may be symptomatic as long as the parents give the OK.They also said there is a weekly, voluntary K-12 screening available to all CPS elementary students with parent consent.Owens anticipates there could be a surge of testing needs to match an even bigger rise in COVID-19 cases."I think it's going to be tough. I think what you're seeing around the country is a lack of the test kits, you know, you have these long, long lines in all the major cities of people getting the regular tests," he said.That's why he encourages parents to mask up their kids, teach them good hand hygiene and consider the shots as classes resume."There is a war against this virus and the best way to fight this war is to be vaccinated fully. That means getting your two vaccinations and your booster and be open to the fact that you might need a booster next year," Owens said.The Cincinnati Children's Hospital vaccination clinic takes place on Wednesday at the Cincinnati Museum Center's Union Terminal.It runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.Appointments are not needed.Officials said admission to the Museum Center is free to those who are vaccinated and parking is free.
As many kids return from holiday break next week, there's a renewed focus on COVID-19 in schools.
Health experts said it's important children get vaccinated and they also encourage testing after all those family gatherings.
Cincinnati Children's Hospital will host a vaccination event at Union Terminal on Wednesday to help get kids protected for the new year.
"The next two weeks is really going to be watched very carefully and it's going to be sad because we are going to see a great increase in cases," public health expert, Dr. O'dell Owens, said.
Following the Christmas celebrations and New Year's toasts, Owens said people should be on guard for COVID-19.
He said that includes kids headed back to class.
"We have a history on every holiday that we've seen a surge, so this is not going to be any different. Especially with omicron being spread much more easily than the delta," he said.
There are many districts that make use of a Test to Stay, Mask to Stay or Test to Play program aimed to keep healthy students in class or activities instead of quarantined due to an exposure.
A Cincinnati Public Schools spokeswoman told WLWT that the health department will test students who may be symptomatic as long as the parents give the OK.
They also said there is a weekly, voluntary K-12 screening available to all CPS elementary students with parent consent.
Owens anticipates there could be a surge of testing needs to match an even bigger rise in COVID-19 cases.
"I think it's going to be tough. I think what you're seeing around the country is a lack of the test kits, you know, you have these long, long lines in all the major cities of people getting the regular tests," he said.
That's why he encourages parents to mask up their kids, teach them good hand hygiene and consider the shots as classes resume.
"There is a war against this virus and the best way to fight this war is to be vaccinated fully. That means getting your two vaccinations and your booster and be open to the fact that you might need a booster next year," Owens said.
The Cincinnati Children's Hospital vaccination clinic takes place on Wednesday at the Cincinnati Museum Center's Union Terminal.
It runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Appointments are not needed.
Officials said admission to the Museum Center is free to those who are vaccinated and parking is free.
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