Uttar Pradesh: Schools Up To Class 8 To Remain Shut Till April 11 Amid Surge In Covid 19 Cases

In the last 24 hours, 2,600 new cases of coronavirus have been reported in the state and nine people have succumbed to the viral disease.

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Lucknow: Amid a spike in coronavirus cases, the Uttar Pradesh government on Friday extended the closure of all schools for students up to Class 8 till 11 April. Earlier, the state government had announced the closure of schools for students up to Class 8 till March 31 and later extended it till April 4.

In the last 24 hours, 2,600 new cases of coronavirus have been reported in the state. Around nine people have succumbed to the infection according to Amit Mohan Prasad, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Medicine and Health.

Different districts of the state are witnessing a sudden surge in Covid cases. At the same time, the number of deaths due to this infection in the state has increased to 8,820. Prasad informed that most of the deaths have occurred in Prayagraj and Lucknow. Apart from this, deaths were reported from Kanpur Nagar, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Barabanki, and Ghazipur. The highest number of 935 new cases have been detected in the capital Lucknow. In addition, 242 new patients have been confirmed in Prayagraj, 198 in Varanasi, and 103 in Kanpur Nagar.

Earlier, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued the directions regarding school closure after a review meeting. The CM has directed the closure of schools for students up to Class 8 till April 4.

The chief minister also instructed the officials to accelerate the coronavirus vaccination. He said the vaccination should be conducted as per the guidelines and priority decided by the Centre and added that government employees who are to be inoculated should be allowed an off on the day they get the jab.

The CM said similar arrangements for leave for private-sector workers should also be made.

UP reported 2,600 new Covid-19 cases and nine fatalities on Thursday, pushing the state's infection tally to 6,19,783 and the death toll to 8,820