COVID cases amongst teachers and students after school reopening

AMARAVATI: Within three days of reopening of schools in Andhra Pradesh, 829 teachers and 575 students have been found to be COVID-19 positive. Under Unlock 5.0 guidelines, government had given green light to reopen schools and colleges from October 15, albeit with some restrictions. Nearly one month after the said date only two states-Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh along with Union Territory Puducherry have opened their gates for the school students.

Centre had released strict guidelines for reopening the schools which included thorough cleaning and disinfection of all rooms, furniture, water tanks, washrooms, stationary, libraries on the school campus. Only students of 9^th to 12^th have been allowed to attend school with prior permission from a guardian and teacher.

According to V Chinna Veerabhadrudu, Commissioner of School Education of Andhra Pradesh, these figures are not alarming when compared to the number of students (3.93 lakhs) and teachers (99,000) attending the schools. He says that reopening of schools is important especially for economically backward students and girls, as most girls will be pressurized to quit schools and get married if schools don’t reopen.