According to the Covid-19 registry, IIT-M reported two cases on December 1, and in the following 15 days the transmission rate increased, bringing the positivity rate to 19%. “This (cluster) has happened before in jewelry stores and meat markets. The entire time it was a violation of the protocols of the epidemic, ”said Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan.
In March, when the state announced the closure, 335 students continued to be housed in the shelters. When public transportation resumed, the institute sent some students back to their homes and the force at the shelter was reduced to 180. “This is not the first time the institute has reported a case,” said one student.
A month ago, when the students tested positive, the institute disinfected the shelter and quarantined all the students. There were no groups. But this time, there was no sanitation of the buildings or quarantine, ”said the student.
One of the main reasons for the spread was overcrowding in the disaster. The institute operated a cafeteria for 180 students during the closure. But when the campus reopened and the force increased to 774, the administration was still operating the Himalayan disaster alone. “It is the only place where the students of all the shelters are. All disorder employees have tested positive. What else could the source be? said a senior faculty member.
When the students began to show signs of the viral infection, they were sent for tests, but they were not isolated. “Students with symptoms were allowed to use the same bathroom, collect water from the same source, and visit the same dining room. None of the secondary contacts were taken for exams, ”said one graduate student.
On December 9, when many students showed flu symptoms, the institute opened the Vindhya cafeteria.
Some students said the administration changed its quarantine policy in November, when there was a decline in cases in the city and state. Until November, students returning to campus were allowed into the shelters only after two weeks of quarantine at the Taramani guesthouse. “The quarantine was strict. The alarms will go off if students keep their doors open for more than ten minutes, ”said a faculty member. After Diwali, the students were asked to self-quarantine in the hostel rooms after a week of quarantine at the guesthouse. “There was no strict monitoring. These students got together with their friends to collect things they need for everyday use, ”said one researcher.
On Tuesday, the secretary of the department of higher education, Apoorva, issued orders directing universities to allow take-out to students where there is a disorder or when the space is inadequate to maintain social distancing, and to screen all students residing in shelters. “We will no longer beg institutions to follow standard operating procedures. If the rules are violated, we will initiate an action against the Epidemic Disease Act and the TN Public Health Act. Both individuals and institutions will be fined, ”said the Secretary of Health.
In the evening, 152 patients admitted to the National Institute of Aging on the Kings Institute campus. “All patients have mild forms of infection, mainly cold symptoms, headaches and coughs. They are responding well to treatment, ”said hospital director Dr. K Narayanasamy.
Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner G Prakash said that all students were tested at IIT. “We are doing a saturated assessment to make sure everyone is screened. This test will be repeated after 10 days, ”he said.
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