Despite positive cases among school-going students, no major clusters, say officials

About 120 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in several districts of Tamil Nadu since the schools were reopened post lockdown in the State on September 1.

The State Health department has been conducting random sample testing at schools and contract tracing of the cases reported in private and government schools. However, the officials say the numbers are not more than what was usually being reported among the age group of school-going students.

The officials with the Greater Chennai Corporation said the source tracking of the COVID-19 cases in school-going students revealed that the majority of infections occur within the residential localities.

“There are several cases of children testing positive for COVID-19 as parents or other family members have a history of travel. Irrespective of the source of infection, we are conducting contract tracing and random sample testing for all the cases of school-going students in Chennai,” said a senior official from Greater Chennai Corporation.

Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan said there is no significant rise in the number of cases of COVID-19 among the school-going students after the reopening. “The children come from all types of habitats and the schools are not the major source of infection in most of the cases. As the vaccination coverage improves in Tamil Nadu, the cases will reduce. However, we are ensuring all preventive measures and random testing to prevent the clusters emerging in schools,” he said.

Talking about the vaccination for the 12-18 age group, the Health Secretary said Tamil Nadu will undertake vaccination for this group once the Union Health Ministry gives a directive. So far, no directions have been received in this regard, he said.