Flu-virus scare: State govt to release fresh SOPs for schools

CHENNAI: Due to the spike in the number of flu-virus cases in the State, the Tamil Nadu government is expected to come out with fresh Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that’d be adopted in schools, including private institutions.

Official reports on Monday claimed that over 1,000 cases, including children across the State, have tested positive for the AH1N1 strain of the virus.

Thousands of patients in several districts were also thronging hospitals, nearby clinics and primary health centres. Accordingly, the School Education Department is coordinating with health experts to analyse all safety aspects that can be adopted in schools across the State.

A senior official from the School Education Department told DT Next that the managements of all schools, including private institutions, have been instructed to advise parents to avoid sending their wards to classes, if they had high fever and cold.

“In the past few days, the number of flu-fever cases has increased drastically in districts, especially in Cuddalore,” he said. “So, authorities in the department have decided to follow fresh SOPs, including, once again introducing social distancing, in classes.”

Though the number of flu virus cases has increased especially among children, the government has no plans to declare holidays for schools. However, authorities may decide to introduce the system of conducting classes on shifts, according to the situation.

“Since students have already lost physical classes for the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation, they cannot afford to lose any more in the future,” he pointed out. “Therefore, declaring holidays might be the last option and that too for students studying in lower classes.”

Regarding fresh SOPs, the official hinted that the guidelines would be similar to those that were adopted when schools reopened after the second lockdown. “Some of the safety measures could be the same as before, such as wearing face masks in classes, distributing vitamin tablets, organising frequent health camps in schools according to the requirements and introduction of classes on a shift basis, if necessary,” he explained.

Though the number offlu virus cases has increased especially among children, the government has no plans to declare holidays for schools