Gauhati University suspends classes, shuts hostel as students test COVID-19 positive

NEW DELHI: Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam has cancelled the cultural night supposed to be held on December 14 as part of the talent search competitions organised by the Postgraduate Students' Union. The programme was cancelled as some of the university hostel residents tested positive for COVID-19. All classes are suspended and university hostels will also be closed from December 15 to 19.

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The notification was issued by the office of the registrar on Monday with the approval of the Vice-Chancellor of Gauhati University. The directives of the VC also prohibits entry of outsiders during the period as a precautionary measure. The university offices will function with minimum capacity. So far, no cases of Omicron have been detected in the state.

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In a similar scenario where precautionary measures were not followed, 43 students of Chalmeda Anand Rao Institute of Medical Sciences in Karimnagar, Telangana, were tested positive for COVID-19 after they participated in the annual day celebration events. The college and the hostels were closed thereafter. But even when covid cases were reported among students, many teachers in Telangana claimed that the district officials did not allow closing of schools temporarily. The teachers’ federation had accused authorities of forcing teachers and students to attend physical classes amid the multiple positive cases.

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