COVID-19, Omicron Cases In India: More states shut schools, colleges; 1 crore teens vaccinated so far

Twenty two students from the prestigious XLRI-School of Management here have been tested positive for the Covid-19 infection, while test reports for another 100 are still awaited, the college authorities on Thursday said, PTI reported.

Thirty-nine students of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) here tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, a district official said. With this, 81 NIT Hamirpur students have been found infected with the coronavirus in the last two days. On Wednesday, 42 students of the institute were found COVID-19 positive. Apart from the 39 NIT students, 23 other people tested positive for COVID-19 in Hamirpur district on Thursday, the official said, as per PTI.

The administration in Maharashtra's Nanded district has decided to stop offline education for Classes 1 to 8 till January 30 due to the rise in COVID-19 cases, an official said on Thursday. Online education with continue for students of Classes 1 to 8, while physical classes of Classes 9 to 12 will continue in keeping with the COVID-19 protocols, he said, according to PTI.

Over 61 per cent of 20.25 lakh targeted beneficiaries in Meghalaya have received at least the first dose of COVID-19 vaccines, a health department official said on Thursday, PTI reported.

This evening I got myself tested for Covid and was found positive. My symptoms are very light and there is no other problem. All those who came into contact with me today, I request them to isolate themselves and undergo Covid-Test.

— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) January 6, 2022

CBSE advises school heads to motivate children to get vaccinated against COVID-19

The Centre on Thursday told all states and UTs that the same COVID-19 vaccine which was administered as first two doses would be given as a precaution dose to healthcare and frontline workers, besides the elderly suffering from co-morbidities, whose inoculation would begin from January 10, PTI reported.

The 30th edition of the New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF), which was scheduled to be held at Pragati Maidan from January 8 to 16, has been postponed in view of the latest DDMA guidelines imposed following the surge in Covid cases driven by the fast-spreading Omicron variant, said the organisers in a statement, as per PTI.

Students of World University of Design have created a DIY template of the right-fitting and sustainable mask in the light of omicron virus that is 9 times more likely to spread the disease than the previous versions of coronavirus. This design is apt for providing higher protection and can be fabricated with any standard 3-layer fabrics approved by the Medical Association of India and can be used for making surgical, N95 and even FFT2 masks which have already been manufactured using the said design. The design, pattern for the mask has been offered as "free-access" to all.

COVID-19 Updates: Fog-free mask by students of World University of Design

The Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Shibpur, West Bengal asked students to leave the campus as staying in hostels may give rise to Covid cases in the campus, reported the Telegraph India.  

In case of any student not being able to return home, the student has to submit a consent letter from the parent. Students staying on the campus will not be permitted to go outside the campus (except for medical purposes) without the permission of the chief warden.

As UP Covid cases and Omicron cases rise, Allahabad University (AU) has prohibited the entry of outsiders on the university campus. The University of Allahabad further asked students to attend classes in online mode. 

Notice Regarding conduct of Classes in Online mode till further orders. Teachers, research scholars and administrative staff to come to the campus while strictly following Corona-Omicron Guidelines. pic.twitter.com/TWyWotepzO

— University of Allahabad (@UoA_Official) January 5, 2022

School Closed News: Schools are closed in Aurangabad for classes 1 to 8 till January 31 as Aurangabad Municipal Corporation suspended physical classes to avoid crowding in schools to limit the increase in Maharashtra Covid cases. But offline classes will continue for students of classes 9 to 12.

Due to a sudden surge in Covid-19 cases, the Uttar Pradesh government, in the latest notice, ordered the closure of schools from January 6 to January 16, 2022 for Class 10 and below. However, online classes will continue for these students. Students of Classes 11-12 should be called to school only for vaccination purposes and given holiday on the vaccination day and the next day. Their classes should be conducted through online mode only, the official notice read.

Forty-two students of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Hamirpur tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, a district official said. He said 53 people tested positive for the disease in the district during the day and 42 of them are from the institute. This has raised the number of active cases to 99 in the district. 

IIM Calcutta asked students who reside outside the containment zones to leave the campus by January 9. The number of IIM Calcutta Covid cases has increased over the last few days. More than 50 students of IIMC tested Covid positive, reported the Telegraph India. 

Students are not allowed to go outside the IIMC campus except for essential purposes till they vacate the campus. 

Covid cases have also been reported in IIT Guwahati and IIT Kharagpur. 

Delhi Covid Cases: Delhi may witness around 14,000 fresh Covid cases on Thursday, said Satyendar Jain, health minister. 

When asked whether the Delhi government was planning for a lockdown in the city, Jain said that the Delhi government has implemented all the necessary precautionary measures such as night curfew and weekend curfew, and there is no need for a lockdown right now.

Union Minister Nityanand Rai tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, a day after he attended an event where chiefs of Central Armed Police Forces were present, PTI reported.

After CISCE, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked the heads of CBSE-affiliated schools to encourage parents, teachers and staff to get their children in the age group 15-18 years vaccinated as soon as possible.

Read More: CBSE asks schools to encourage parents, teachers to vaccinate children

The vice-chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University has tested positive for COVD-19 infection with mild symptoms, the varsity said. VC Prof Tariq Mansoor has isolated himself but is continuing his duties from his official residence through online mode, the AMU announced on social media, as per PTI.