Several state governments have taken the decision to reopen the schools in their areas as the second wave of the pandemic has subsided. But now, there is a Covid-19 scare in schools after dozens of children were found positive in Himachal Pradesh, besides the neighbouring Punjab and Haryana.
While Haryana had opened schools for senior classes (Classes 9 to 12) from July 16 onwards, Punjab on August 2 went ahead and allowed all classes from pre-nursery to Class 12. The Himachal Pradesh government also opened schools for 9th to 12th standard students from August 2.
The manner in which the authorities opened schools hastily in all these three North Indian states has been questioned by parents who were not in favour of sending their children to schools at a time when the news about the possible Covid-19 third wave was doing the rounds.
With ten more schoolchildren found positive in Anni subdivision of Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday, so far, a total of 62 children have contracted the virus in the state, after the government decided to reopen the schools.
Himachal Pradesh government has closed all the schools till the 22nd of August as a precautionary measure. The worst-hit places are the Kullu, Kangra and Shimla districts where crowds of tourists were witnessed recently.
Students test positive in Haryana, Punjab
In neighbouring Punjab, 27 school children have been found Covid-19 positive. Out of a total of 27, 21 students alone were found in two Ludhiana schools which have been closed as a precautionary measure.
Haryana was first to open schools for the senior classes between Standard 9 to 12 from July 16. Six students who were studying in two Fatehabad schools were found to be Covid-19 positive last week. Earlier in March this year, 54 school children had tested positive in the Karnal district.
Himachal Pradesh and Punjab currently top the Covid-19 transmission rate in the country with the highest virus reproductive value of 1.3 each, which indicates rising infection trends and disease resurgence.
While the Himachal Pradesh government has already closed all educational institutions including schools till the 22nd of August, Haryana and Punjab have yet to take a call.
Punjab govt increases Covid-19 tests
The Punjab government has not yet closed the schools in the state. However, they have intensified sampling of school children after Covid-19 cases were reported in four districts including Ludhiana, Abohar, Nawashehar and Amritsar.
Punjab has nearly 30 lakh school students (pre-nursery to Class 12) for whom the schools were opened between July 26 and August 2 onwards. Haryana and Himachal Pradesh opened schools for students of Classes 9 to 12 from July 16 and August 2 respectively.
While Haryana has over 6.81 senior secondary students, Himachal has more than three lakh students for whom the schools were opened. Though the exact number of students who attended classes in these states is not known, but the percentage has been thin.
