Synopsis
The committee headed by cardiac surgeon Dr Devi Shetty while outlining plans to improve paediatric facilities to face the third wave that is predicted to affect children, has also parallelly underlined the need to resume schools. The committee’s stand is based on various studies across the world that show no evidence of the “possibility of schools being centres of large transmissions”.
A high-level expert panel constituted by the Karnataka government to advise it on prevention and management of the possible Covid third wave, in its interim report, has recommended reopening of schools in districts where the case positivity rate is below 5% for two successive weeks.
The committee headed by cardiac surgeon Dr Devi Shetty while outlining plans to improve paediatric facilities to face the third wave that is predicted to affect children, has also parallelly underlined the need to resume schools. The committee’s stand is based on various studies across the world that show no evidence of the “possibility of schools being centres of large transmissions”.
“There is an urgent need to offer scientific and definitive guidance for school reopening as further delay in achieving near normalisation of schooling will be detrimental than Covid itself,” says the report which was submitted to chief minister BS Yediyurappa on Tuesday.
The 13-member panel has cautioned that the delay in opening schools will have social implications as it will push children into malnutrition, child labour and child marriage. Digital learning has not proved effective with students from marginalised communities and rural areas missing out on education, the panel stated.
The committee has predicted that going by the last two waves, most children will be mildly infected or asymptomatic.
As against the existing practice where the government takes a decision to open schools across the state, the committee has advised to leave the decision to the local administration, with adequate precautions.
The panel has also advised the state to announce ₹2,00,000 health insurance to all children attending schools physically and also to form ring immunisation by prioritising Covid vaccination to all adults around children including parents, family members and school staff.
In its elaborate 92-page report, the committee has given three possible scenarios — the best, moderate and worst case — on how Covid cases may look like in the third wave. The report highlights the need to immediately ramp up neonatal ICUs, beds in paediatric wards, Covid care centres, HDUs and ICUs for children.
Sources in the health department said there was no plan to reopen schools anytime soon. Colleges and higher education institutions may open once students and lecturers are vaccinated.
On receiving the report, the chief minister said the committee has made some “important recommendations”.
“The panel has recommended starting colleges. We will take a decision after considering all views,” he said.
