As Covid-19 cases rise, Telangana to decide on closing down schools again

HYDERABAD: Telangana will soon take a decision on whether to shut down schools across the state for a second time in view of rising Covid-19 cases, chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said on Wednesday.
Altogether 140 students and teachers have tested positive for Covid-19 in the last couple of days in Telangana. While Zilla Parishad Girls High school, Mancherial, reported 56 cases on Monday and Tuesday, 38 students of Telangana Minorities Residential Girls School, Balanagar, tested positive on Tuesday among spurt of cases in other schools.
Responding to the Covid-19 scenario raised by some members in the assembly, KCR said on Wednesday that the state government was on high alert. The CM said he has reviewed the situation, especially in Mancherial and other districts.
Authorities recently reopened schools for Class 6 to 10, but with a spike in cases the government is planning to close the schools till class 8.
“The CM will also take a decision on holding examinations for students up to Class 9,” a senior official said.
Prime minister Narendra Modi held a video conference on Covid-19 situation in the states with chief ministers on Wednesday. KCR skipped the PM’s meeting for the second time in the past month.
“As I have to give a reply on thanks motion to the Governor’s speech in the assembly, the chief secretary and health secretary are attending the PM’s conference,” KCR said.
Earlier, the CM did not attend the 6th meeting of Governing Council of Niti Aayog chaired by Prime Minister Modi on February 20, 2021 either. The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) had said that KCR could not attend as he was unwell. He had deputed officers including chief secretary and other department officials to attend the meeting.
The CM said after a second wave of coronavirus in various countries, India too was witnessing a rise in cases especially in some states such as Maharashtra.
“Even in the first round of cases, the TRS government had handled the situation effectively by adopting stringent measures. The Centre is also giving us suggestions from time to time,” the chief minister said.