All schools in Kostanay switch to remote learning amid spike in flu cases

Tengrinews.kz – All school students in Kostanay have moved to online learning due to a sharp rise in flu and acute respiratory infections, the city’s education department confirmed.

Classes will be held remotely from 25 November until the end of the week, following an increase in repeated illnesses among both students and teachers.

A total of 37 schools in the city have shifted to distance learning.

The department noted that the measure aims to protect the health and safety of everyone involved in the educational process. At the end of the week, officials will reassess the situation and decide on the further format of instruction.

Among college students in Kostanay Region, 3,578 out of 20,984 are currently on sick leave. Seventeen groups across four colleges have also been moved online, including the Industrial-Pedagogical College, the Construction College, the Higher Pedagogical College and the Kazpotrebsoyuz College.

Over the past week, the region has recorded 10,512 cases of acute respiratory infections — a 1.8-fold increase compared to the previous week. Children under 14 account for 61.9 percent of cases.

Earlier, Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova stated that hospitals across Kazakhstan have an additional 2,000 beds prepared in case of a surge in flu and ARVI. In Astana, 250 beds for such patients are already deployed, with another 80 in reserve.

In East Kazakhstan Region, doctors report rising infection rates and have confirmed 25 cases of Hong Kong flu, urging residents with symptoms to stay home and avoid spreading the virus.