COVID-19: IIT Madras shuts labs after 71 researchers test positive

NEW DELHI: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has limited the number of students in its campus because of a recent spike in COVID-19 cases, a statement from the institute said, “around 71 research scholars have tested positive for COVID-19”.

The institute is functioning with only 10 per cent of the students in the hostels and all labs on the campus have been temporarily closed.

The decision to arrange COVID-19 testing for all students was taken by the institute after the students reported a spurt in the number of symptomatic cases. The cases were mainly reported from students residing in the hostel.

This is not the first institute to shut down and restrict movement after experiencing a spike in cases once the lockdown was relaxed. IIT Kharagpur went through a similar phase in August when researchers were allowed to vacate and IIT Kanpur before that. Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru, similarly opened and then had to seal departments and blocks again when over a dozen cases were reported in August.

COVID-19 campus protocols

The students have been asked to remain in their rooms with arrangements made to deliver packed food to the students, the statement said.

The institute has been permitting research scholars who need to do experimental work to return to campus in a cautious manner – with a 14-day quarantine and testing of each returnee.

Staff working on research projects and staying in the city also have been coming to work in the labs, once this was permitted by the government.

The institute, the statement said, has been constantly in touch with the civic authorities and has been following all protocols and safety measures.

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