IIT-Madras closed its departments, centers, laboratories and the library citing the outbreak.
Chennai:
Eight more students from IIT-Madras tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases at the main engineering institute to 191. The latest cases came after 141 people were tested yesterday amid an outbreak of coronavirus cases at the institute. this week.
Also six students tested positive for the virus at Anna University.
Tamil Nadu Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan said the students are in stable condition.
IIT-Madras closed its departments, centers, laboratories and the library earlier this week citing the increase in coronavirus cases in shelters, according to an email to students accessed by NDTV.
The Tamil Nadu government has stepped up Covid testing on campuses and mandated testing at all colleges and universities after the IIT-Madras cases. So far, nearly 1,000 IIT students and cafeteria workers have been screened.
Authorities blame the hostel disaster. The IIT administration now sends packed food to students in shelters. Other colleges and universities that have only a canteen or canteen have also been asked to only give take out food to students in shelters.
Many universities in Tamil Nadu have reopened for seniors after the state government has relaxed.
IIT-Madras has instructed teachers and students to work from home.
“Preliminary analysis based on our epidemiologist’s report suggests that because only 778 students were there, eating from a single disorder … That could be perhaps the main reason. 16 disorder workers also tested positive,” Radhakrishnan said.
“We are also targeting other campuses that have been joined by seniors and postgraduates. The Honorable Chief Minister has directed ensuring that RT-PCR testing is intensified on these campuses as well, especially if they have a single dining room or a common dining room. We have suggested takeout, like at IIT, “said the senior officer.
Tamil Nadu recorded 1,132 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, bringing the count to 8.01,161 and the death count rising to 11,919 with 10 more deaths.
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