Omicron surge casts doubt on school reopening plans in Karnataka

With the Omicron variant of Covid-19 continuing to spread, the Karnataka education department is reconsidering its plans to reopen government schools across the state on May 29. Though preparations for the reopening are underway following the state curriculum, rising fears of a potential infection surge have led officials to contemplate postponing the reopening for the safety of children.

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The department is closely monitoring the situation, especially the increasing number of Covid cases among children—three new child infections have already been reported recently. The ongoing monsoon season raises concerns that opening schools now might accelerate the spread of the virus among students.

Officials are expected to wait for the next two days before making an official announcement. The decision will heavily depend on data from ongoing Covid testing and the trajectory of infection rates. Education authorities are holding discussions at various levels to determine the best course of action that prioritizes children’s health.

Sources within the education department reveal that there is significant worry about the vulnerability of children to the virus, given their delicate health status. In the event of a widespread outbreak among students, the consequences could be severe and could potentially affect the broader community.

The government is balancing the urgency of resuming academic activities with the necessity of ensuring a safe environment. The final decision will be announced after careful evaluation of the infection trends and expert recommendations.