As COVID-19 situation improves, Assam gets ready to reopen elementary schools

The Assam government has decided to reopen elementary schools as COVID-19 situation has improved in the state. Addressing a press meet in Guwahati, Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced

The Assam government has decided to reopen elementary schools as COVID-19 situation has improved in the state.

Addressing a press meet in Guwahati, Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that elementary schools in the state will open from January 1. A standard operating procedure (SOP) will be issued soon to allow the students from nursery to class six to attend schools.

“The state government has decided to reopen the classes from Nursery to 6 for both government and private schools,” Sarma said.

He stated that the state government has taken the decision in accordance with the union home ministry’s order, which allowed states to reopen schools after October 15, depending on the COVID-19 situation in their respective states.

The teachers’ association has been consulted in this regard. Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that it would be guardians’ discretion to send their wards to schools.

“COVID-19 situation in our state is under control now. Since many countries and states in India witnessed second and third waves, therefore, we are cautious enough. We have been monitoring the situation. Till today, we have attained a satisfactory stage in terms of COVID-19,” Sarma said.

He also gave reference to an India Today survey which had placed Assam at top in terms of its fight against the pandemic.

Highlighting the COVID-19 scenario in the state, Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “Till now, 2,12,617 positive cases have been found in Assam. While 2,08,283 patients have been discharged, there are 3,850 active cases in the state. The number of COVID-19 death is 981. The national death rate is 1.46 per cent. But, the death rate in the state is .46 per cent.”

On the other hand, the recovery rate in Assam is 97.97 per cent. The national recovery rate is 93.7 per cent.

“From November 2 to 8, we detected 325 cases everyday. Between 9-15 November,  211 cases were found. In the third week of November (16-22), the number of cases came down to 178. In the last week (23-29 November), the number of cases is 158,” Sarma explained.

COMMENTS