11 September,2009 07:57 AM IST | | Aanchal Kurmi
Although 22 people test positive for swine flu in last 10 days, including 10 students, schools walk the tightrope by remaining open on one hand and ensuring kids do not crowd unnecessarily on the other
Ten out of 22 swine flu cases reported in the city in the last two days are school students.
Four students from B K Birla Centre for Education have caught the flu and 17 others are suspected cases, while one student from Don Bosco High School and Junior College is H1N1 positive and 11 others are suspected cases.u00a0 Abhinav English Medium School also reported one positive and five suspected cases.
"H1N1 virus is likely to spread in schools, as it is a crowded area. A team of doctors is constantly monitoring cases and keeping a check on schools," said Dr P S Pawar, superintendent of Sassoon Hospital.
Dr R R Pardeshi, chief medical officer, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), said, "Schools were closed tillu00a0 August 30, keeping the safety of children in mind. And the fresh cases have been reported after Ganesh festival.
Besides, it is not certain if the children have contracted the virus in school. So right now, we don't think we'll close theu00a0 schools again."
School authorities too do not want to shut schools. Jaya Bhaskar, principal of Abhinav School, informed that students are screened regularly and asked to stay home if they are unwell. "We avoid gatherings like assemblies and recesses," said Bhaskar.
