From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Sept 3: With 34 out of the 300 nursing students of Christian Nursing College at Horamavu in Kolar Gold Fields testing Covid positive, the State Government has ordered temporary seal down of the college.
After visiting to college for a personal inspection along with senior officials on Friday, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr K Sudhakar, who is also the Medical Education Minister, has directed all the colleges to be vigilant on students returning to classes from other states.
The Minister said it was alarming that 34 students out of 300 have been tested positive for Covid. The college has been sealed down and all safety precautions have been taken. All schools and colleges must follow the guildelines and Covid safety norms, he said.
"Karnataka is an educational hub and many students come here from across the country. There are about 800 nursing colleges in the state. All the students who are infected are from Kerala and West Bengal. The samples will be sent for genomic sequencing as well,’’the minister said.
The infected students have been shifted to Covid Care centres for isolation. The College will be sealed down for 7 to 8 days and then testing will be conducted again, he said.
Dr Sudhakar said the entire area has been declared as micro containment zone and the 700 to 800 residents around the college will be tested as a precautionary measure.
He said Kerala is still witnessing high number of cases. Therefore, the State Government has issued separate guidelines for border districts.
Students coming from Kerala must possess negative RT-PCR test report and must have received vaccine. Managements of schools and colleges must verify this strictly, said the minister.
He mentioned that the Ganesha Festival is a very sensitive and emotional issue and the situation has to be handled in a responsible manner.
"We must not forget that Covid situation went out of control in Kerala due to Onam and Muharram. We are trying to avoid such situation in Karnataka. Govt will take an appropriate decision considering all aspects, Dr Sudhakar said.
As schools have been reopened in the State, the State Government has been very cautious about children's safety. The Government has taken as much responsibility as parents.
"We have also taken measures for strict surveillance at bus and rail stations,’’ said minister.