Chennai, Sept 18 (BPNS)

Estranged leader of AIADMK and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has urged the state government to close down schools as flu-related cases were on the increase in the state.

He called upon Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to immediately intervene in the matter and to take steps to close down the schools to prevent the spread of the disease.

In a statement on Sunday, OPS said that it was the duty of the state government to maintain public health in the state and pointed out that hospitalization of children was on the rise in the state.

The former Chief Minister in the statement said, “ The Tamil Nadu government should declare holidays to schools for some time and postpone the exam schedule till the time the cases are brought under control. The government should take steps to create awareness among people about the flu and also that necessary medicines are available to them.”

He also said that expert doctors have warned people above 60 years of age to be careful. The former Chief Minister in the statement said that the schools in Puducherry are already closed down till September 25 due to the spread of flu cases in the Union Territory.