Professional Documents
Culture Documents
within the IIT-Madras campus, after over 100 persons tested positive for the
coronavirus. On Sunday, 71 people including 66 students and 5 staff
members tested positive while 33 more were found to have been infected on
Monday. So far 444 people have been tested out of the 700 present on the
campus. Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan further told the media that the IIT-
Madras cluster is “'a lesson for all of us”.
Speaking to reporters, the IAS officer pointed out that cases were bound to
rise as restrictions were eased and students returned to campus. He pointed
out that this was nothing to be afraid of and that continuous testing and
contact tracing will help control the spread. The spread of the coronavirus in
IIT, has been attributed to the shared dining area on the campus where
residents were in close contact. Furthermore, many were not wearing their
masks.
"District authorities have been emphasising that this kind of spread is possible
in other colleges, especially in hostels. Even here, there was a common mess.
We have asked for this mess to be closed and prepared as a take-away
option. When it comes to closed spaces, crowded spaces and close contact
we have to remain very careful," said Radhakrishnan.
Sources in the institute tell TNM that the first case was discovered after a set
of students began to show symptoms of the virus. Reports attribute the
infection to mess workers testing positive on December 9. A day later the
mess was closed and food was sent to the rooms of the residents.
They maintained that IIT Madras was constantly in touch with the civic
authorities and that they have been following all protocols and safety
measures.