After schools and colleges reopened in Karnataka on January 1, 2021, more than 25 teachers tested positive for Covid-19. About 18 teachers tested Covid positive in Belagavi district.

The government had made it mandatory for all teaching and non-teaching staff to undergo a Covid-19 test before educational institutions reopen.

While talking to the media on January 5, 2021, the DC of Belagavi, MG Hiremath admitted that four teachers from Chikkodi and 18 from Belagavi have tested positive for the virus. He said, “We restarted educational institutions under the Vidyagama scheme of the government by taking all precautions. For instance, in Kadoli, four teachers in a school have tested positive. We have sealed the school and it will be reopened a week later after it is full sanitised.”

In Koppal, two teachers tested positive and about 23 students are set to undergo tests for Covid-19.

Karnataka Health and Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar said, “There are nearly 10 lakh students in the 10th standard alone. It is but natural that a few may have tested positive amongst the staff in spite of precautions. We are testing them, isolating them and getting them treated. Since it involves the future of lakhs of students, I appeal that we should not spread panic as normalcy is being slowly restored.”

“I am getting the exact data of how many have been infected (due to the virus), meanwhile I appeal to the media that let us not unnecessarily spread panic among the students and parents,” he added.

Source: Hindustan Times

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