Infection has been detected in 18 students of Shetkari Shikshan Sansthan School located in Ghansoli, Navi Mumbai. COVID-19 First case of mass infection among school students in the state. The students were close contacts of a Covid-19 positive student of class 11, whose father has an international travel history from Qatar.
Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has directed the school administration to close the school till December 26.
There is a possibility of increase in the cases of infection with the new Kovid-19 version.omicronThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Saturday issued guidelines asking residents to avoid crowding in public places and gatherings like weddings.
According to information shared by NMMC deputy commissioner Jaideep Pawar, an international traveler from Qatar was tested positive for COVID-19 along with his family members, including his child, who studies in class 11.
Though the passenger was found negative in the RT-PCR test, his asymptomatic son was diagnosed with Covid-19. Later, after testing around 921 school students, 18 were found to be Covid positive till Saturday afternoon.
“First, we tested 38 close contacts of his class. Next, we tested 374 students. Of these, nine were found to be Kovid-19 positive. Then, we again tested 509 students. In all, 18 of them have been identified with Covid-19,” Pawar said.
Apart from this, 38 employees have also been tested, but none have been diagnosed with Covid-19.
Due to the vaccination age limit, none of the infected students were immunized against COVID-19. The minor patients are students of class 8 to 11. All the students, who are asymptomatic, have been kept in an isolation ward at the CIDCO Jumbo Centre.
“We have sanitized the entire campus of the school. NMMC health officer Dr Ajay Gadade said, we will run tests on more students to avoid any possible transmission among others.
Meanwhile, ahead of the festive season, Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal appealed to the citizens to avoid crowds and follow protocol. The BMC has already deployed a flying squad with five members in each ward to keep an eye on hotels, malls, restaurants, weddings and parties.
“Those who are violating the Covid-19 protocol, the squads deployed at the ward level will take action. The rules regarding attendance at weddings and other functions should be strictly followed,” Chahal said in a statement on Saturday.
As per the guidelines, in confined or enclosed spaces, occupancy up to 50% of the capacity of the space will be allowed. However, in open positions, the limit has been capped at 25%. If a gathering is to be held with more than 1,000 people, prior permission of the local disaster management authority is mandatory.
Meanwhile, to expedite vaccination, the civic body has warned establishments to ensure that their employees are fully vaccinated.
“Vaccination of all employees present in public places, establishments as well as programs and functions is mandatory. A BMC official said appropriate action would be taken against the establishment if any violation of the rules is found.
The BMC’s action came after rising cases of violation of the Kovid-19 protocol in the city.
“It has been observed that rules are being broken especially during weddings and other functions. Eminent personalities, celebrities who have an impact on the society also need to be aware of the issues and act accordingly. A BMC official said, the administration has decided to take strict action against those violating the COVID-19 guidelines.
Chahal has also appealed to the citizens to get fully vaccinated.
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