The outbreak of Adenovirus in West Bengal has been a cause of concern for the state government, as the death toll from the virus has reached 47 in the last two months. The government is deliberating on whether to declare a state of emergency or not, as the virus is primarily affecting children aged two to five years. The situation has caused a surge in demand for beds in the emergency department of child care in government hospitals, as worried parents rush to seek medical attention for their children.
While the state's health minister has reassured the public that adequate infrastructure is in place to deal with the outbreak, there is still uncertainty over whether pre-schools should remain open or not. Attendance rates in schools have already significantly decreased, as parents are reluctant to send their children to school with a cold. This has put pressure on school authorities to ensure that hygiene rules are followed, masks are worn, and parents only send their children to school if they are fit.
The primary section of schools is closely linked to various secondary and higher secondary schools in West Bengal. Gautam Pal, the board president, has advised parents to send their children to school only if they are fit, and schools should follow strict hygiene protocols to ensure the safety of their students. Navnita Bose, a school principal in Newtown, has suggested that children who are sick should come to school with a fit certificate, as they cannot be expected to wear masks all the time.
Tamal Mukhopadhyay, president of the National Task Force for Pre-School Education, has emphasized that children's health should be the top priority, and parents should keep their children at home if they are not feeling well. While there is currently a holiday for the start of the academic year, if the situation becomes more complicated, schools may have to resort to online classes.
It is challenging to maintain physical distance and ensure that young children wear masks all the time, so parents and school authorities should take extra precautions to prevent the spread of Adenovirus. The Chief Minister has announced that around 600 doctors have been mobilized to fight the outbreak and provide medical care to those affected.