Schools reopen with Covid precautions as cases rise
Schools across the state reopened on Monday for the new academic year after the summer break, with health and education authorities implementing renewed precautionary measures due to a recent increase in Covid-19 cases in the state.
As students returned to classrooms, many were seen wearing masks along with teachers and staff members. The state government, anticipating the public health risk, had issued a circular last week stressing the need to follow Covid-19 safety protocols in all schools — government, aided, and unaided.
The health and family welfare commissioner, in the advisory, directed parents not to send their children to school if they exhibit symptoms such as fever, cough, or cold. The same applies to school staff — both teaching and non-teaching — who have been asked to take appropriate precautions if they are unwell.
'If children come to school with fever, cough, cold and other symptoms, inform their parents and send them back to home,' the circular from the health department said. 'If these symptoms are found among the school teachers and non-teaching staff, they should be advised to follow appropriate precautionary measures.'
The circular mandates strict adherence to Covid-19 appropriate behaviour (CAB), which includes regular hand hygiene, proper cough etiquette, and isolation of symptomatic individuals. Schools have been advised to immediately send home any student found with Covid-like symptoms, while ensuring that staff members also comply with hygiene protocols.
As of Sunday evening, Karnataka reported 253 active Covid-19 cases, with four deaths attributed to comorbid conditions since the beginning of the year.
In line with health directives, the department of school education and literacy (DSEL) has reiterated that symptomatic children should not be sent to school and should only return after receiving medical attention and full recovery. The commissioner of public instruction also issued a parallel advisory stating that children must attend school only after symptoms subside and that all schools must remain vigilant in implementing preventive measures.
General secretary of the associated managements of schools in Karnataka (KAMS) D Shashikumar said, 'For the safety of children, we have been instructed to follow Covid-19 precautionary measures in all schools under our organisation. Accordingly, all our schools have been sanitised. Parents have been advised not to send children with fever, cough and cold and other problems to schools. All the instructions issued by the government in this regard from time to time will be followed without fail.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
GRH sets up 50-bed Covid-19 ward as precaution
Madurai: Amid a recent uptick in Covid-19 cases across Tamil Nadu, Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) in Madurai has set up a dedicated 50-bed isolation ward as a precautionary step. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While no active cases have been reported in the city, health officials are urging the public to wear masks and maintain hand hygiene in crowded areas. The isolation facility includes 30 beds for adults and 20 for children. GRH dean Dr L Arul Sundaresh Kumar said the hospital is fully prepared to manage any potential Covid-19 cases, following directions from the state health department. "We have ample supplies of medicines and oxygen. OPD staff have been instructed to wear masks and follow hygiene protocols. Covid testing will be conducted only if deemed necessary," he said, adding that fever cases are being closely monitored. Health officials clarified there has been no spike in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) cases. "There were a few fever cases after the rains, but no clusters or surges have been identified. People are advised to avoid self-medication and seek medical advice for persistent symptoms," an official said. Surveillance has also been tightened at Madurai airport. Passengers arriving from abroad with fever or cough are being screened and isolated if needed. A 16-member monitoring team has been deployed for airport vigilance. MSID:: 121652081 413 |
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Pollutants order changes post Covid pandemic: Cooking, industry emissions on PM2.5 rogue list
1 2 3 4 Kolkata: On the occasion of World Environment Day, the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) released a comprehensive report revealing how Kolkata's air pollution sources had significantly shifted in the years following Covid-19 pandemic. The analysis, drawing on two landmark studies — NEERI's pre-pandemic source apportionment study (2019) and TERI's recent post-pandemic study (2025) — shows a perceptible change in sectoral contribution to two key pollutants: PM10 and PM2.5. Significantly, only these two pollutants breach the national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS). Earlier, releasing the report, Bengal environment minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, WBPCB chairman Kalyan Rudra, additional chief secretary of the environment department Roshni Sen, former VC of Bengal Engineering and Science University (BESU) Ajay Roy, and WBPCB member secretary J P Meena emphasised how plastic pollution plays havoc with our lives and biodiversity. WBPCB chairman Kalyan Rudra declared an award for students for collecting and responsible disposal of plastic wastes through its network of 5,000-plus schools in Bengal. According to the findings, coarse particulate matter (PM10) in the city saw a decrease in dust-related emissions, from a dominant 57.3% in 2019 to 43% in 2025, suggesting possible improvements in street cleaning and construction regulation. However, this was offset by rising contributions from household cooking (from 13.3% to 18%), industry (5.9% to 12%), and vehicular tailpipe emissions (8% to 13%). Notably, refuse burning and secondary sources, which were negligible in 2019, emerged as more prominent contributors in 2025. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which poses graver health risks due to its ability to penetrate deep into the lungs, now sees an increased contribution from industrial emissions (7% to 21%) and cooking (27.9% to 29%). Dust emissions halved (from 24.7% to 12%), while secondary aerosols — a complex mixture formed through chemical reactions involving vehicle, industrial, and power plant emissions — came into sharp focus, now accounting for 13% of PM2.5. This rise suggests a growing influence of chemical pollutants in the city's atmosphere. The report also notes that while policies such as the introduction of BSVI vehicles and the uptake of electric mobility helped reduce PM2.5 from tailpipes (23.5% to 20%), older vehicle fleets continue to be significant emitters of PM10.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
India's active case tally nears 5K as country reports 7 deaths in 24 hours
India recorded 4,866 active Covid-19 cases as of June 5, with seven deaths reported in the last 24 hours, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Among states, Kerala had the highest caseload at 1,487, followed by Delhi and West Bengal with 562 and 538 cases respectively. Maharashtra (526), Gujarat (508) and Karnataka (436) are the other states to cross the 400 active cases mark. These six states currently account for 83 per cent of India's total active infections. Five of the seven fatalities were senior citizens over the age of 60. The others included a 42-year-old man from Delhi and a five-month-old male child from Karnataka, both with multiple health issues alongside a positive Covid test result. This rise in cases comes even as the Centre is conducting mock drills in government hospitals to check preparedness for Covid-19. Official sources say hospitalisations have not increased, as most cases are mild and treated under home care. States have also been instructed to ensure availability of oxygen, isolation beds, ventilators and essential medicines, sources said. A mock drill assessing oxygen supply systems such as PSA plants, LMO tanks and MGPS lines was conducted on June 2.
