IIT Madras campus placed under lockdown after 66 students test coronavirus positive

Chennai, December 14: Indian Institute of Technology IIT Madras, and the campus are placed under temporary lockdown as the campus faces a major outbreak of corona Virus. As many as 66 students and 5 staff members tested positive for coronavirus in the last two weeks.

 

 

The prestigious institute has reported 55 new cases since Friday, with the biggest spike of 32 cases being reported on Sunday.

 

Since December 1, 25 patients have been taken to the Kings Institute of Preventive Medicine in Guindy after contracting COVID-19. The hospital authorities alerted the health department after a chunk of patients got admitted from IIT-Madras on Saturday.

 

The circular reads, " In view of the recent spike in Covid cases in the hostel sector, it has decided to shut down all departments, Centres and the library immediately until further notice". 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.

 

“As soon as a spurt in symptomatic cases was reported by some students residing in the hostels, the Institute has consulted the civic authorities and has arranged for all students residing in hostels to be tested for COVID. To be cautious, all students have been asked to remain in their rooms and packed food is being supplied to the students in the hostels,” the institute said.

 

According to the institute, over 774 students are currently living on campus, and the maximum number of cases were reported from Krishna and Jamuna hostels. The institute further informed that they have taken 447 samples till now and that the remainder of the process is underway.

 

"In case of any symptoms of Covid (fever, dry cough, sore throat, diarrhoea, loss of taste/smell, or any other symptoms) you are required to contact the IIT Madras hospital authorities immediately," added the circular.

The institution clarified that it was in touch with civic authorities and adhering to safety measures.