Kerala: 265 students and staff members test COVID-19 positive in two schools

Kerala: The district health authority of Kerala said on Monday that 192 students and 72 staff members from two schools in Malappuram district have tested positive for COVID-19.

149 student and 39 staff members tested Covid19 positive in Maranchery Higher secondary school, while 43 students and 33 staff members detected positive in Vannery Higher Secondary School.

“After the student tested positive for the disease, three teachers at the school showed symptoms of the disease. Then, the health department collected samples from 582 students and 50 staff including teachers at the school last Friday. Of them, 148 students and 50 staff members tested positive,” the department said in a press release.

After this, the department also collected the samples of students and staff members of nearby Vannery Higher Secondary School.

The authorities said old and stale food should not be used. Masks, digital thermometers, sanitisers, and soaps should be arranged at schools.

“It is the responsibility of the people, including students, to protect themselves from the virus through appropriate behaviour — wearing face masks and keeping physical distancing. The people, especially students, should be more careful to avoid the infection,” said an official with the health department.

Meanwhile, Kerala reported 6,705 fresh Covid-19 cases on Sunday, informed the Chief Minister’s Office.

Classes for 10th and 12th began in schools across the southern state with limited hours and a restricted number of students with Covid norms as per government order on January 1. Schools in Kerala had remained closed since the coronavirus-induced lockdown in March 2020.