Tamil Nadu: 56 students and a teacher in a school test positive for COVID-19

56 students and a teacher of a government-aided school in Thanjavur district’s Ammapetai village tested positive for Covid-19. The infected students have been admitted to Thanjavur and Tiruvarur medical college hospitals for further treatment.

While the test results of a first batch of students showed that 20 of them had tested positive for the virus on Saturday, another batch of 36 students and a teacher were found to have contracted the virus on Sunday. The state government recently announced their decision to reopen schools for students from classes 9 to 12, allowing a maximum of 25 students per class while following the standard safety protocols. The school has been shut down while the entire area has been disinfected. District Collector M Govinda Rao informed Indian Express, “I spoke with the students who tested positive for Covid-19. I told them not to worry or be scared as we are putting our best effort to facilitate them with the best treatment. Some of the officers who tested positive and recovered were made to speak to the students to provide them confidence.”

“A committee comprising Tehsildar, a block medical officer, town education officer, have been formed to analyse why such a cluster has emerged suddenly in this area. They will inspect the schools and will be submitting a report soon. On behalf of the health department, rural development, and revenue departments, medical camps have been set up in villages from where these students come to school. The areas are been disinfected, the officials have been informed to provide Kabasura Kudineer, Vitamin C, Zinc tablets to residents to boost their immunity,” Rao was quoted as saying.