Coronavirus Scare: State Education Department urges students not to attend school if sick

After five confirmed cases of coronavirus were reported in Maharashtra, the State Education Department has issued a notice to all the institutions stating that students should not attend classes if they are unwell. Further, officials asked the school authorities to issue an advisory for the dos and don'ts abut the COVID-19 outbreak. 

The circular read,

Students need to be told about basic precautions like covering their mouths while coughing and sneezing; washing their hands with a good soap; and not coming to school if they are sick, among other measures. Apart from taking care of themselves, students can also help generate awareness within their families, friends and peer groups." 

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Students visit the school only for a few hours due to the ongoing 10th and 12th examinations. Keeping this in mind, officials have also stated that schools should not make it mandatory for students to wear masks, making it their choice. 

Recently, the University Grants Commission (UGC) had also issued a notice to Universities to ensure that there are no large gatherings on the campus. UGC Secretary Rajnish Jain stated, “Avoid large gatherings on campus. Any student or staff with travel history to any COVID-19 affected country or in contact with such persons in last 28 days should be monitored and home quarantined for 14 days."

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As a precautionary measure, the BMC hospitals are ready to handle situations, in case of emergency. More than a 100 beds have been arranged and kept in isolation wards at Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar, KB Bhabha Hospital in Bandra, KB Bhabha Municipal Hospital in Kurla and Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Trauma Care in Jogeshwari.

Additionally, 24 health teams consisting of six members are deployed at every ward to monitor patients who may show symptoms of Coronavirus. Two teams will be deployed at the international airport to monitor the situation around the clock.

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