In a swift turn of events, schools in Punjab have swung their doors open today, bringing relief and apprehension in equal measure. After a 4-day hiatus due to the increasing number of conjunctivitis cases, Chief Minister Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi, declared the resumption of educational activities.
With the health and safety of students as the utmost priority, CM Naqvi vowed to enforce strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). In a novel approach, teachers stationed at school entrances will conduct eye checks on every child as they enter the premises. This proactive measure aims to promptly identify and isolate any potential cases of conjunctivitis, thus containing the spread.
However, the situation regarding conjunctivitis remains a matter of grave concern. Over the past 24 hours, Punjab has seen a staggering 9,401 new cases of conjunctivitis. The city of Bahawalpur bears the brunt of the outbreak, reporting a record high of 1,577 cases, followed closely by Faisalabad and Multan, each with 761 cases.
Punjab’s battle against conjunctivitis continues, with hopes pinned on the rigorous enforcement of SOPs in schools to curb further spread.