Karnataka Announces New COVID-19 School Guidelines Amid Spike

Following an escalation of COVID-19 cases, Karnataka Health Department has introduced new guidelines to schools to provide protection for students and cut the spread of the virus. The guidelines are published when city areas have seen an increase with over 20,000 Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) confirmed cases.

There are currently 234 active COVID-19 cases in Karnataka, as of date, India's total of 2,710 active cases. In response to this, strict hygiene procedures have been directed to be put in place at school. The most vital of these include the regular use of hand sanitizers, regular hand washing, and social distancing within the classroom.

The policies require students showing symptoms of cough, cold, or fever to be sent home and brought into the school to be treated. Only after complete recuperation from the symptoms are they allowed to return to school. When a student shows symptoms at school, the parents are called and the student is sent home.

The staff and teachers are also asked to look after their own health and stay away from school if they become sick. The schools must implement these policies for the health safeguarding of students and staff.

In addition to school regulations, the Health Department has also issued public safety regulations. They should wear masks, wash hands frequently, and avoid being in groups. Those showing signs should be given immediate medical attention and undergo a checkup if advised to do so.

In order to manage the rising cases effectively, health centers were instructed to screen a minimum of 5% of ILI cases daily on a day-to-day basis with a specific emphasis on high-risk groups such as the elderly, expectant women, and children. Hospitals were required to report COVID-19 cases on a daily basis on the health portal as well as active monitoring of COVID steps through their Infection Control Committees.

For the public, there has been the provision of a toll-free helpline (1800 425 8330) with health advice, testing advice, and co-infection management advice. The front-foot strategies of the Health Department are a measure of containment of COVID-19 spread and protection of public health during the ongoing surge.