At least one school in Kolkata has asked parents to not send children to class if they have any chronic health conditions, the advice coinciding with a sharp rise in Covid cases in West Bengal.
Two other schools have spoken to parents and urged them to take more precautions for children with compromised immunity.
West Bengal on Thursday recorded 2,889 new Covid cases, a jump of over 500 from the previous day.
South Point on Thursday issued a notice to parents advising them to keep children at home if there is a health concern. “We would like to advise parents that children who are suffering from any health issues, including any sort of chronic conditions, should avoid coming to school at this point of time. Parents not comfortable in sending their wards to school in the present circumstances may also decide likewise,” said the notice.
Since last week, students at a number of schools have been staying away from class because either they have tested positive for Covid or are showing symptoms associated with the disease.
Several children were sent back home as they were found to be running a temperature.
South City International School and Julien Day School, Kalyani, have spoken to parents asking them to take more precautions for children with compromised immunity.
Doctors say children with chronic ailments should stay away from large groups or school at a time when the rate of infection is high.
“If children who have chronic asthma, cystic fibrosis or any other lung disease, or diabetes is infected, chances are the condition will be serious,” said Apurbo Ghosh, director of the Institute of Child Health.
“Those with uncontrolled asthma or any other prevailing condition should avoid school when the rate of infection is high. About 20 per cent absence from school will not hamper academic progress.”
The number of Covid cases among children is currently high, though the condition of most of the affected kids is not serious, said Ghosh.
South Point has said they are trying their best to keep physical classes going. “But there are children who have a health condition, which makes them more susceptible to infection,” said Krishna Damani, trustee, South Point.
Terence John, principal of Julien Day School, Kalyani, said: “When children with any chronic condition come back to school after any illness, the instruction is to inform the class teacher, infirmary and the school head.”
John Bagul, principal of South City International School, said: “We have a few cases of children who have chronic illness. We have spoken to their parents and told them to take more precautions.”