SECUNDERABAD: To keep a check on Covid-19 cases, education and medical officials have joined hands to conduct RT-PCR tests in private and government schools in Secunderabad Cantonment areas. The drive is mostly focussed on students from class 6-10.
The private school managements, who were not keen initially, joined the effort after a series of meetings, officials said. “A mobile van is being used to do the tests in school premises after assembly. It will continue till 1 pm,” Dy DHMO Dr H Raj Kumar told TOI.
Initially, the health department conducted RT-PCR testes in private schools in Lal Bazar and Trimulgherry. The samples were sent to Gandhi Hospital and nearly 200 students did not display any symptoms, the deputy DHMO said, adding that the students were mostly following Covid norms and enthusiastic about the test process.
“The RT-PCR tests are also being conducted for students of government high schools. We intend to complete this process by the end of this month,” she said. While a private school teacher said, “There’s good response from students and no one refused to do the RT-PCR test.” According to the dy educational officer (Secunderabad) GBS Kumar, there are five government high schools and another half-a-dozen private schools in Secunderabad Cantonment with about 5,000 students in all.
