34 High School Students Test COVID Positive In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: A total of 34 students from two high schools in Dhenkanal and Bargarh districts have tested positive for COVID-19.

In Dhenkanal district, 14 students, five teachers and a peon of Panchayati Raj High School at Kanapujr in Kamakhyanagar block have tested positive.

Following this, the district administration on Tuesday closed the school for seven days and sent the infected back home.

Sources said the local administration had conducted RT-PCR test of 197 hostel inmates, teachers and staff on August 31 and 147 on September 1. O them, 20 had tested positive.

Besides, 20 students of a high school in Bargarh districts have also tested positive, sources said.

School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash told the media that his department has received the reports.

“We are in touch with the Chief District Medical and Public Health Officers (CDM & PHOs) of these two districts and will take necessary steps after an inquiry,” he added.

The minister clarified that as yet, no decision has been taken on reopening of classes I to VIII.