TED NewsDesk, Mumbai: The Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra are going upward. On Wednesday, in a sharp rise the state recorded 8,807 fresh cases. Besides, the state reported 80 fatalities due to the infection, taking the tally to 51,937.
In such a scenario although the state education department had allowed physical classes for Class 10 and 12 to resume in the state, schools in several districts in Vidarbha, Marathwada region have been ordered shut. Schools in Pune had also been ordered shut on February 21.
An official said on Tuesday that a total of 229 students of a public school hostel in Maharashtra’s Washim district have tested coronavirus positive. Additionally, four school staffers have also been tested positive and the area was declared a containment zone.
As per the report by Maharashtra Times, 51 including 43 students and 8 teachers tested positive in a school in the Solapur district. In Satara district, as per the report by Zee News, 14 students tested positive in a school in Pusegav. Earlier, 9 students had tested positive in the same school.
This week in the Latur district of Marathwada 39 students and five employees of a hostel had tested positive for Covid-19.
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope had appealed to the students to follow the COVID-19 norms on February 24. His appeal came because of the rising cases.
Tope who, himself is under medical observation after testing positive for the virus on February 19, wrote in a letter in Marathi, “Schools and colleges have started, but COVID-19 cases are on the rise again. The battle against the virus has been going on for a year now, but I am sure we will win this battle. You have been sitting at home for a year despite your age of running around, playing, and sweating on the field. But, now, I need your help to overcome this crisis.”
Tope said, “First, take care of yourself, your family, as well as your neighbors. Your parents need to go out for work. Make sure, when they return, they wash their hands and legs properly. Also, when they go out, make sure they use hand sanitizer and wear a face mask. And if there are any COVID-19 symptoms, take them to the government hospital immediately.” Tope further added that he is confident of winning the battle against the virus.