Lately, there has been a steady increase in number covid-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir. Across India also, more cases are reported. On March 14, 25,320 covid–19 infections were reported, the highest daily rise in 84 days, taking the case tally to 1,13,59,048, according to Union Health Ministry Data.
The daily figures from last fortnight suggest that the pandemic is back to a case rate last seen at the end of December. As per the data, out of country’s 20 most populous cases, 17 states and Union Territories have seen their trajectories climb significantly after bottoming out. On Sunday, Jammu and Kashmir also logged fresh 105 cases while fresh infections are reported in around 80-mark daily. Plainly, the second wave seems taking roots.
The key question for the administration is what can be done to fight the novel coronavirus all over again? It would do well to remember the basics about tackling the pandemic. One of the most crucial elements that helped control the first wave was aggressive testing. Recently, it was seen that during sampling in some schools and colleges, several teachers tested positive for the pestilence, forcing the closure of some including Islamic College of science and commerce in Srinagar. While almost every state or UT in the country worked at the peak of their testing capacity in September to November, lately though, testing has dropped considerably. The national level testing rate was 40% below peak capacity levels in the last week.
Also some important events are scheduled this week. One of them is the opening of the schools for primary classes from March 15. Many schools have applied an odd-even formula which entails having only 50% of students on campus on any given day. In the revised guidelines on COVID containment measures issued in January this year, the administration had allowed schools, colleges, higher educational institutions, technical or skill development institutions to reopen from February 1.
The government has time and again stressed that the notified Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) guidelines shall remain unaltered and shall be followed in “letter and spirit”. There is a need to be watchful.
Resuming classes through an odd-even rotation of the students, along with appropriate safety measures such as wearing masks, ensuring hand hygiene and temperature monitoring systems, should be acceptable.
At the same, the new normal shouldn’t mean that one should step out of the houses irrespective of the consequences. It ought to be modifying the lifestyles and cutting down on unnecessary exposure with scientific guidelines.
Primary School Opening Amid Covid-19
