Sudden surge in Covid 19 cases; IIT Madras witness temporary lockdown
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Chennai: On December 13, IIT Madras administration issued an official statement clarifying all departments and facilities will be shutting down due to sudden increase in Covid cases inside the campus premises. The major outbreak of pandemic has led the reputed institute to stay in temporary lockdown.
As per the report from health authorities, 71 Covid cases were reported since last two weeks inside IIT. Among this 66 are students, 4 mess staffs and one resident quarters. Tamil Nadu Government is insisting the IIT authority to have detailed Covid check up for students inside the campus.
"The highest Covid hike was witness on Sunday with 32 fresh cases and it is likely to increase on coming days" Health authorities stated.
According to the latest media release issued by IIT Madras, the institute has been functioning on limited capacity with 10% of students are in hostels. Majority of them are research scholars who need to carry out experimental work in labs. The institute informs that it has consulted the civic authorities and arranged for all the students residing in hostels to be tested for Covid.
"Most of the students have been following the instructions from administration and government guidelines so far. To avoid any sort of health problems, each student has given each washroom by IITM. Some of us are quarantined and we are strictly following the guidelines given by IIT. We are keeping better social distancing, using masks and keeping us hygiene during this quarantine period." he further added
According to the latest information from administration all the students are requested to stay inside the hostels and have to contact IITM hospital authorities if they have symptoms.
IIT Madras circular states that "All faculty, staff, project staff and research scholars will work from home until such time. All students, scholars and project staff staying on campus are advised strictly to confine themselves to their hostel rooms and maintain social distance at all times for their own safety,"
Meanwhile, some of the students alleged that single mess for around 700 students is the reason behind the sudden hike in Covid cases. In the mess, one cannot be wearing a mask while eating and a congregation of a good number of persons in the mess proved to be the cause for the spread.
However the statement by IIT Madras authorities says that it will attempt to increase their capacity to quarantine returning students since the government is releasing the hostels they took custody of quarantine Covid patients during the last 7 months.
"IIT Madras has been constantly in touch with the civic authorities and has been following all protocols and safety measures'" says the statement, "The Covid positive students are admitted in Covid Care Centre in Guindy and all of them are reported stable and keeping well" the statement further reads.
