Punjab Govt Postpones Decision On School Closings Despite Rising Cases
The Punjab govt has yet to decide on the closure of schools as coronavirus cases increase across the province.
Punjab has reported 1,516 coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, the highest since May 16, when 1,700 cases were reported.
Infections among students and teachers have also been reported, with the positivity rate exceeding five percent in several cities across the province.
Despite the developments, the provincial government has stopped testing schools for COVID-19, raising concerns about the well-being of students and teachers.
Also Read: All Sindh Private School And College Association Calls For The Immediate Reopening of Schools
Punjab’s primary and secondary health care department recorded a 6.6% positivity rate for the coronavirus on Wednesday.
The prevalence rate was 9.9% in Lahore, 6.4% in Faisalabad, 6% in Multan, 5.3% in Bahawalpur, and 5.2% in Rawalpindi.
During the third wave of COVID-19, the provincial govt closed schools in areas where the percentage of positive diagnostic test results was over 5%. But this time, no such action was taken.
Regardless of the sensitivity of the matter, the National Command and Operations Center (NCOC) canceled a meeting scheduled for Wednesday to decide on the closure of schools in affected districts.
The pandemic situation in Lahore is catastrophic, where 748 new cases of coronavirus have been reported in a single day.
Also Read: Sindh Govt Announced Closure of Schools Till 30th August
Last week, a private school in the provincial capital was cordoned off after some of its students tested positive for COVID-19.
While the government remains reluctant to make a decision, parents have taken matters into their own hands.
Punjab Teachers Union President Rana Liaqat Ali told the media that the number of students attending in-person classes had declined in recent days due to an increased infection rate.
“There is panic in schools in Punjab and cases of coronavirus have been reported among teachers. Student attendance is also low, but only the NCOC can decide when we as government officials should obey instructions,” he said.
Also Read: NCOC Announced The Vaccination Deadline For Teachers, Students, And Different Public Sectors