Coronavirus new variant : Morocco to conduct screening campaign among 30,000 students

A Coronavirus new variant (SARS-CoV-2) screening campaign will be conducted amongst 30,000 middle school and secondary school pupils in six regions of the country in order to estimate the level of virus circulation in the population under 18 years of age and genetically characterize the circulating variants, the ministry of Health has announced.

In an administrative circular sent to the regional health directors, the ministry underlines that as part of the national plan for monitoring and responding to SARS-CoV-2 and following the appearance of new variants of the virus, characterized by greater transmission among young people, a screening operation among middle and secondary school students will be carried out in the regions of Casablanca-Settat, Rabat-Salé-Kenitra, Tangier-Tetouan-Al Houceima, Fez-Meknes, Marrakech-Safi and Souss-Massa.

This operation seeks to estimate the level of circulation of the virus among the population under 18 and to genetically characterize the circulating variants, the ministry says.

This operation, which will be carried out in close collaboration with the ministry of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research, will conducted amongst 30,000 students from Casablanca Settat (10,000 students) and Rabat-Salé-Kenitra, Tangier-Tétouan-Al Hoceima, Fez-Meknes, Marrakech-Safi and Souss-Massa (4,000 students per region).