Schools in Odisha reopened for students of class 10 and 12 in Odisha on January 8, 2021, after remaining shut for over 9 months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“As many as 31 new infections detected in the district. Among them 90 percent are teachers and they would be barred from attending schools,” said Chief District Medical Officer P K Patra, according to ANI.
“All the teachers underwent Covid-19 tests as per the standard operating procedure before the reopening of the schools. Two students have also tested positive for the coronavirus,” he added.
Students of classes 10 and 12 are to attend classes non-stop for 100 days, except Saturdays and Sundays due to board examination preparation. However, students can attend classes only after they bring written consent from their parents.
According to the state government, the colleges and universities for final year students in the state will reopen from today.
“There are 26 teachers and two students among the 31 persons who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Gajapati district in the last two days,” Patra said.
However, according to PTI, a senior official of the School and Mass Education Department said the detection of Covid-19 cases among students and teachers has nothing to do with the reopening of schools for students of classes 10 and 12.
“All these tests were conducted before the reopening of schools on January 8. The department had instructed school authorities to conduct Covid-19 tests of students and teachers if they exhibit symptoms,” the official said.
No school in the state has ordered Covid-19 tests within two days, he said, adding S&ME secretary Satyabrata Sahoo has asked senior officials to visit all the districts to oversee the situation.
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