Amidst the H1N1 scare in Bengaluru, the British Council library, which is popular among many bookworms, closed its doors for three days starting Saturday. The council announced the closure for a ‘deep clean’ of the facility following an H1N1 scare recently.
The library, which is set to reopen on Tuesday, has about 2,100 members. “As you may be aware, there have been cases of H1N1 virus in Bengaluru. We have had a confirmed case of H1N1 in the library. As a precautionary measure, we are closing the office for a deep clean effective Saturday,” the council said in a mail sent to members informing them about the closure of the library.
Rajeswari P., Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications, South India, British Council told The Hindu that the decision to keep the library closed for the exercise was taken after an internal review. “Following a confirmed incident, we did an internal review and decided, as a precaution, to do a deep clean at our library. For privacy sake, we would prefer not to give specifics. It is just one case. As we are aware of other cases in Bengaluru not associated with the library, we wanted to take this opportunity to do a preventive cleaning,” she said.
The library has nine staff members.
“We will be making hand sanitisers available in the library and the wash rooms. Please do use them and remain vigilant for symptoms,” the mail added.
Schools, colleges on alert
With cases of H1N1 being reported among students, colleges and schools have sent out advisories asking parents to take precautionary measures and adequate safeguards. Some institutions have even asked parents to get students vaccinated against the virus.
Several institutions have made sanitisers available and are encouraging students to wash hands at regular intervals.
With the exam season around the corner, one of the student of a private college has decided to get herself vaccination. "I have heard of at least three people in my apartment complex who got H1N1. Hence, I decided to get myself vaccinated as my examination will begin in April," she said.
Nooraine Fazal, Managing Trustee of Inventure Academy, said that three cases were reported in the school after which the entire campus was fumigated.
“We request students, parents and faculty with any flu or flu-like symptoms to remain at home (or isolated) for up to 10 days from the onset of any H1N1 symptoms and with at least two clear days without fever before returning to school. If your child has any H1N1 symptoms, please consult your doctor immediately. Please do not send your child back to school without clearance from your doctor and a medical certificate,” stated an advisory from the academy.
Fr. Abraham, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Christ University, said that some of the students are wearing masks on the campus. “We have decided to ensure that all faculty and staff above 60 are vaccinated, as chances of contracting the infection is high. The university will bear this cost. We sent an advisory to students earlier this month,” he said.
