COVID-19 scare: Health Ministry issues advisory for schools

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has come out with a school advisory in view of the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

All schools have been advised by the government to avoid any large gathering of students in the school premises. As per the advisory, any student or staff with travel history to any COVID-19 affected country or in contact with such persons in the last 28 days should be monitored and home quarantined for 14 days.

Class teachers have been asked to be alert of any possible symptoms among the students like coughing, fever or difficulty in breathing and inform the parents to get them tested, said the advisory. Any affected student should not join school unless okayed by a doctor.

The Health Ministry's advisory also talked about basic hygiene like washing hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water. It also suggested using alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

"Everyone should cover their mouth with a tissue/handkerchief when they cough or sneeze and wash their hands afterwards. Do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth. Everyone should throw away used tissues in a bin and wash their hands after contact with coughing/sneezing," said the government advisory.

It has also asked schools to place alcohol-based sanitizers at different spots. The advisory also asked the authorities to monitor the students staying in hostels. It asked people to contact the dedicated call centers should the need arise.

The first case of coronavirus in Delhi was detected on Monday. Six suspected cases have been detected in Agra, who came in contact with the person from Delhi who tested positive. As of today, 29 cases of coronavirus have been reported from India, including a group Italian nationals who are now been quarantined. Three persons from Kerala have been discharged after treatment.

So far, 3,110 people have died across the globe due to the highly contagious virus. IANS