Bengaluru :  After a nursing college in KGF found Covid positive cases, Christian Nursing College in Horamavu has reported 34 cases of infection. Colleges have been instructed to be vigilant on students returning from other states, said Health and Medical Education Minister Dr.K.Sudhakar.

Speaking to media after inspecting the college minister said 34 students out of 300 have been tested positive for Covid. The college has been sealed down and all safety precautions have been taken. All schools and colleges must follow guildelines, said minister.

Karnataka is an educational hub and many students come here from across the country. There are about 800 nursing colleges in the state. All the students who are infected are from Kerala and West Bengal. The samples will be sent for genomic sequencing as well, said minister.

Infected students have been shifted to Covid Care centres for isolation. College will be sealed down for 7-8 days and then testing will be conducted again. The area has been declared as micro containment zone and 700-800 residents around the college will be tested as a precautionary measure, said minister.

Kerala is still witnessing high number of cases. Therefore we have issued separate guidelines for border districts. Students coming from Kerala must posses negative RT-PCR test report and must have received vaccine. Managements of schools and colleges must verify this strictly, said minister.

Ganesha Festival is a very sensitive and emotional issue. But we must not forget that Covid went out of control in Kerala due to Onam and Muharram. We are trying to avoid such situation in Karnataka. Govt will take an appropriate decision considering all aspects, Dr.Sudhakar said.

Since schools have been reopened we have been very cautious about children’s safety. Govt has taken as much responsibility as parents. We have also taken measures for strict surveillance at bus and rail stations, said minister.