Sindh health minister opposes decision of reopening schools

KARACHI: Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho has opposed the reopening of schools in the province after the rate of positive coronavirus cases has doubled.

According to Dr Azra Pechuho, the rate of positive coronavirus cases has doubled in Sindh from 1.5% to 3% which is concerning when it comes to reopening schools in the province.

It is pertinent to mention that the Sindh government had decided to postpone reopening of middle schools in the province till September 28th on account emergence of coronavirus cases among students and teachers including unsatisfactory implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Read more: Sindh delays second phase of reopening schools.

The Sindh Health Minister has warned of the second wave of coronavirus infections and advised against the reopening of schools in the province for at least month until the situation is absolutely clear.

However, the Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar says that the positivity rate of coronavirus cases in stable and below 2% which contradicts the statement by the Sindh Health Minister.

Taking to Twitter, the Federal Minister wrote:

Significant build up in covid testing done to carry out sentinel testing at educational institutions in order to identify early trends, if any. 42,299 tests carried out yesterday which is by far the highest ever. Positivity ratio continues to be stable below 2%,

Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah has stated that the provincial government would only open schools once there was a proper implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs).

According to the Chief Minister, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has distributed over 500,000 face masks to schools and the government was trying its best to facilitate the administration of educational institutions as well as citizens.

Furthermore, a the Sindh Government will review its decision regarding reopening schools with the federal ministry on September 28th.

Read more: No change in phase-wise reopening of schools in Punjab.

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