Srinagar: All private and government primary schools in six districts of Jammu and Kashmir were ordered shut by the government after two suspected coronavirus patients undergoing treatment in Jammu were declared “high viral-load cases”.
“The test reports of the two suspected coronavirus patients were received, which suggested a high viral-load. There is high probability of their testing positive for the infection,” the spokesperson for Government Medical College Jammu said.
“They are stable and all protocols are being followed,” the spokesperson added.
The two patients, with a travel history to coronavirus-hit Italy and South Korea, had fled the hospital’s isolation ward on Wednesday shortly after their admission, but were brought back within hours. Their samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune.
Following the alarming report, orders were issued for Srinagar and three other districts in Kashmir –Bandipora, Budgam and Baramulla – to close all primary schools till further orders. The order was issued by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan in the afternoon.
In Jammu and Samba districts, the schools will remain closed till March 31, said a government spokesperson. “However, teachers shall continue to attend the schools. In case of any examination in respect of primary classes during this period, the same shall stand postponed and the schools shall notify fresh dates separately,” said an order issued by Director School Education, Jammu.
The government also announced suspension of biometric attendance in Jammu and Kashmir till March 31.
The high alert was sounded after two persons admitted to Government Medical College Jammu for the last few days were found to be high-risk cases.
At Srinagar airport, meanwhile, travellers continue to be screened for symptoms such as fever, cough and cold, before being allowed to proceed to their respective destinations.
During an inspection, Deputy Commissioner Budgam Tariq Hussain Ganai alongside CMO Srinagar Dr Talat Jabeen visited the airport to inspect the arrangements put in place for screening.
“The screening process is intensified at all entry points and enhanced surveillance is being carried out in form of registration of phone numbers, signatures and residential addresses. The passengers are asked about their travel history and symptoms, if any,” Ganai said.
An isolation ward has also been set up at the airport and the passengers coming from 12 affected countries are directed to report at the foreign registration counter.
Around 3,000 travellers arrive and depart from Srinagar Airport every day.
District Magistrate Jammu, while invoking Section 144 CrPC for closure of the schools, said that measures have been taken in view of the threat emerging due to CoVID-19.
“Whereas, it is felt that children, particularly up to the Primary School level, should not be sent to schools to avoid mass gatherings; and whereas, section 144 of CrPC empowers the undersigned to issue certain directions/orders in urgent case of nuisances of apprehended danger when it is considered that such direction is likely to prevent danger to human life, health or safety.
“As such, for the reasons mentioned above, it is hereby ordered that all government and private schools up to the primary level shall close with immediate effect,” the official order said.
Earlier, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued a Coronavirus advisory to schools and other educational institutions following the increase in confirmed cases of COVID-19 in India. The health ministry advised that schools should avoid any large gathering of children and that any staff or student with travel history to any COVID-19 affected country in the past 28 days should be monitored and quarantined for fourteen days.
Besides, class teachers have been asked to be alert of any possible symptoms among students, like coughing, fever, or difficulty in breathing. Teachers have been asked to inform parents to get their children tested. Any affected student should not join school unless cleared by a doctor, the advisory said.
The Health Ministry’s advisory also talked about basic hygiene, like washing hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water. It also suggested using alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Reader correspondent