COVID-19: Teachers, staff of two schools test positive in Prayagraj
What's the story
Amid a worrying spike in coronavirus cases in several states across the country, the city of Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh reported 19 new infections on Tuesday.
Out of the new cases, 13 cases were traced from two schools alone.
The cases come just days after offline studies for seniors classes were restarted there earlier this month.
Here are more details on this.
Details
Principal, Vice-Principal of one school infected
Nine of the said cases were reported from the Bishop Johnson School, while four infections were registered from St. Joseph's School.
The Principal, as well as the Vice-Principal of the latter, are among those infected.
Reportedly, all the cases were reported among school staff and teachers and no student has been infected.
On Monday, a parent-teacher meeting was held in St. Joseph's School.
Details
Students, parents will undergo COVID-19 test
Nodal Officer Dr. Rishi Sahai said that all the students and parents who had visited the school will undergo a coronavirus test.
"From February, the government has started offline studies of classes 6 to 12. In such a situation, the reports of infection in schools is disturbing," he reportedly said.
Lately, offline school classes have been allowed to restart in a number of states.
Information
8 cases reported at old age home in Shahjahanpur
Meanwhile, eight new cases have been reported at the Baratara Vridha Ashram, an old age home, located within the limits of Roja Police station in Shahjahanpur. The Health Department has identified 365 people linked to the facility, who will be tested on Wednesday, News18 reports.
Situation
CM instructs officials to remain alert
Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, has instructed officials to remain alert in order to keep the situation under control.
State Health General Secretary Dr. DS Negi said there has been a decline in coronavirus cases there.
Further, districts along the state border are being monitored and contact tracing is underway. The state government is examining over 1.25 lakh samples daily.
COVID-19
Several states reporting a rise in COVID-19 cases
The news comes as several states including the worst-hit Maharashtra and Kerala have continued to report a rise in COVID-19 cases amid fears over mutated strains and increasing laxity among people in adhering to virus-related safety guidelines.
As a result, the governments of Maharashtra, Punjab, and other states announced fresh curbs to contain the spread.
India currently has around 1.47 lakh active coronavirus cases.