Schools and ITIs register 52 new Covid-19 cases among students
SHIMLA | TNR
With the number of active Covid cases spiralling to 356 in the state, a cabinet decision on shutting down schools again is on the cards.
At least 52 students have fallen victim to the virus in schools and ITIs. The government has been forced to reconsider its decision on keeping schools open as there were at least 32 cases of students contracting the virus in a single day in the recent past.
Situation to be reviewed
Education minister Govind Thakur said the situation would be reviewed during the next Cabinet meeting to be held shortly. He asked all educational and health institutions to make presentations on the situation during the meeting. He also called on schools to strictly follow Covid protocol. Schools had been reopened on August 2, despite fear of a third wave looming large, which is believed to affect children the most.
Schools reopened for students of grades 10, 11 and 12
At present schools have been reopened for students of grades 10, 11 and 12 only. Apart from schools, ITIs have also reopened. Since then, several students have tested positive for the virus.
Students had tested positive during the second wave too
Several students had tested positive even before the second wave, putting parents ill at ease to send their children to school. At the moment, less than half the students are attending their respective schools.
Scary situation
With the number of active cases in the state climbing from 856 on July 26 to 1949 on Saturday, the situation has become quite tense. Nine students of Pujarli school were found positive in a single day, while ITI Tikker also registered some cases. Pujarli school had been demarcated as a micro- containment zone.
