ICMR Chief recommends opening primary schools first, says children can handle infection better

NEW DELHI: Indian Council of Medical Research, (ICMR) Director General Balram Bhargava recommended the reopening of schools beginning with primary section.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, he said that children can handle the infection better than adults and that they have a lower number of ace receptors to which the virus attaches. 

However, vaccination will continue to be a crucial factors in combating the virus. He said that if such a step is taken it is necessary to ensure that school teachers and other staff.

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Bhargava added that ICMR's latest national serosurvey has  found that the seroprevalence among those aged six to nine was 57.2 per cent which is very similar to adults.

"So, once India starts considering opening schools, it will be wise to begin with the primary schools. Also, we have to ensure that all support staff members, be it school bus drivers or teachers, are vaccinated,"  said the ICMR chief.

India on Wednesday reported 42,015 new cases and 3,998 deaths in last 24 hours on according to data updated by the centre.

The total recoveries have risen to 3,03,90,687, while death toll has reached 4,18,480.

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