Jorawer Singh, Chandigarh, August 11, 2009: Chandigarh residents are relieved to hear that stocks of anti-viral drugs will now be available in the city. Welcoming “The Epidemic Disease Control Act”, “I had got a campus selection to be placed at Pune, but I have now opted against moving out of city, at least for the time being ” says scared looking Sumanyu a current year engineering pass-out. After the news of 40 students of Delhi Public School, Sector 40, being sent home, parents in general are confused as to what to do next. Pointing out that highest affected age group is “9-14 yrs”, Preeti, mother of two suggests “The schools should tie up with the hospitals and administration and rather than just sending a kid home, should help in getting the tests done so that in case something really comes up, others can be alerted in time”.
Educational institutes have already been advised to report cases to State Nodal Officer (Swine Flu) on Phone no. 102, 0172-2740408 & 2782457 for further monitoring, however, health department feels “The closure of educational institutions on account of any student or staff member falling ill with flu-like symptoms is not recommended.” “We need to really work on improving conditions in colonies and slums, which can be potential breading grounds for this flu” says Sarjit Singh, a retired SDO from Punjab Government.
According to the guidelines of the department “any student or staff member showing flu like symptoms such as fever, cough or running nose, should be allowed to stay at home for 7 to 10 days and School will not insist on production of any medical certificate.”