New Delhi: Amid rising H3N2 cases, all schools for classes 1 to 8 in Puducherry will remain closed for 10 days starting tomorrow. “All schools in Puducherry to remain closed from 16th to 26th March in wake of the spread of H3N2 virus”, Puducherry Education minister A Namassivayam told reporters on Wednesday.
The decision was taken following reports of children falling sick owing to the H3N2 subtype of seasonal influenza.
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H3N2 Cases on Rise Across India
India witnessing a sudden spurt in H3N2 influenza cases. Earlier last week, the health ministry data showed that India reported 451 cases of the H3N2 virus between January 2 and March 5.
Earlier in the day, Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar reported its first death after a 23-year-old medical student succumbed to to H3N2 virus. On Monday, Gujarat’s Vadodara reported its first death from the H3N2 influenza virus. The first death was reported in Karnataka’s Hassan district where an 82-year-old man died due to the H3N2 virus. Till now, nearly 9 people have succumbed to the virus in India.
H3N2: Time to Follow COVID Protocols
H3N2 virus is attacking kids and elderly so it is time to follow Covid protocols yet again – wearing masks, following social distancing and all other rules which were framed and followed during the pandemic, said doctors as cases increase. These viruses become active with the change in weather and are spreading rapidly. “While earlier, fever usually lasted for 3-4 days, but in these cases, the fever is not getting cured even in 6-7 days. However, it is a matter of relief that 95 per cent of the cases are not severe. However, a condition like pneumonia is developing in some patients”, said doctors.
