Considering the rise in number of cases of COVID-19 and its Omicron variant, Dr Nitin Raut, Guardian Minister, announced on Wednesday that no offline classes would be condcuted for Std 1 to 8 in any of Nagpur schools from Thursday till January 31. Dr Raut reviewed the preparedness of the administration and healthcare facilities. On Wednesday, he visited Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and took stock of bed arrangement, drugs availability, condition of oxygen plants. While addressing a press conference at Divisional Commissionerate, Dr Raut said, “The cases of COVID-19 were on rise in Mumbai and Pune. For last few days Nagpur, too, is witnessing the same situation. Our district is also registering Omicron cases almost daily.

 

This situation is not good and we don’t want it to escalate further. Taking this into account, we have decided to keep schools shut till January 31 initially. We will take stock of the situation and then decide whether to extend the curbs or not.” Nagpur Municipal Corporation also issued an order of schools closure. The order signed by Radhakrishnan B, Municipal Commissioner stated, ‘All the offline classes for Standard 1 to 8 in schools will not be held now onwards till January 31, 2022. There will be no restrictions for holding online classes. The classes of Standard 9 to 12 will continue to be held offline in their respective institutions by following all the norms of COVID-19.” Dr Nitin Raut also directed to speed up vaccination, increase the number of tests and take punitive action in case of violation of COVID-19 protocols. He held a high-level review meeting at the Divisional Commissioner's Office. The meeting was attended by Zilla Parishad President Rashmi Barve, Mayor Dayashankar Tiwari, Divisional Commissioner Prajakta Lavangare Verma, Nagpur Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, Collector R. Vimala, Municipal Commissioner Radhakrishnan b. Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Yogesh Kumbhejkar, District Superintendent of Police Dr. Vijay Magar, Deputy Commissioner of Police Basavaraj Teli. During the meeting, the Guardian Minister sought the views of senior medical experts from the task force.

 

The current corona virus infection in Nagpur, its prevalence and the increasing number of patients were discussed during the meeting. Dr Raut further said, “All the employees at Government offices, schools, colleges have to be fully-vaccinated and the heads of the departments concerned should take note of it. Employees working in various Government offices have to get themselves tested for RTPCR. If they come negative then they would be allowed to work in office. Those test positive for the virus are expected to stay home if they don’t have symptoms.” Dr Raut appealed people not to panic but to help the administration by following the corona prevention measures. Some decisions may be taken by the state government in future. Therefore, the medical system should be fully prepared so that the corona wave does not affect, Dr Raut suggested at this time.