Hassan: Student appearing for SSLC exam tests Covid 19 +ve

Bengaluru: A Class X student appearing for the Mathematics exam at Arkalgud centre in Hassan district tested positive for the coronavirus infection on Saturday, officials of the Department of Public Instruction said.

The student had recovered from dengue recently and had sent the swab for testing after developing an Influenza-like illness a couple of days back. He recorded normal temperature before entering the exam hall.

Speaking to reporters at a press meet held here, Primary and Secondary Education Minister S Suresh Kumar said, “The 16-year-old was attending the exam in a centre situated in Arkalgud town in Hassan. He had recovered from dengue recently and had sent the swab for testing after developing an Influenza-like illness a couple of days back.”

The district administration notified the examination centre chief as soon as the Covid positive result of the student was known. “The student was immediately shifted to another separate classroom where he completed the examination. However, the case can be termed asymptomatic as the student is said to have recorded normal temperature before entering the exam hall,” Kumar added.

The minister further said that the health officials will monitor the health of 19 other students who attended the exam in the same hall as the Covid positive student. A decision on whether they will be allowed to attend the remaining exam will be taken by a committee of health experts, he added.

Meanwhile the department took the decision of not allowing students whose swabs are taken for Covid-19 tests to appear for the remaining exams.