IIT Delhi allows students to go home as quarantine facility is full

NEW DELHI: The Institute of Technology Delhi has informed research scholars and students who are not involved in laboratory or coursework that they are allowed to return home as the institute’s home quarantine facility for COVID-19 patients is "full to capacity”. Several students tested positive for COVID-19 today.

The institute also said that there are “many cases” amongst non-academic staff, faculty members and their families who are all self-isolating. But that option is not available for students.

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Ashok Kumar Ganguly, deputy director, IIT Delhi in a letter to students, said:“Several students have tested positive today and several mess staff members have called in sick. The Gulmohar facility for home quarantine of students is full to capacity now. In addition, there are many cases amongst faculty and their family members as well as staff and their family members.“ Careers360 sought a clearer picture of the situation from officials but they were not free to speak. If and when they respond, this copy will be updated with their comments.

Educational institutions are once again reporting large numbers of COVID-19 cases. IIT Roorkee said in a statement yesterday that it had 101 cases of COVID-19 on campus where students are already anxious about testing and healthcare during the Haridwar Kumbh Mela. The National Institute of Technology Hamirpur instructed its students to vacate their hostels in three-four days after 19 students tested positive on campus. Plus, there have been cases at Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM A), Delhi University’s St. Stephen’s College and elsewhere due to the second wave.

IIT Delhi: COVID on campus

The institute said that as government quarantine facilities are getting “fast overwhelmed”, students should go back to their homes. It also said that students who want to go home are allowed to do so. “Day scholars are also encouraged to work from home as far as possible,’ Ganguli’s letter said.

IIT Delhi said that the decision was taken after a review meeting held due to the “alarming situation” rising out of COVID-19.

IIT Delhi had started allowing students back on campus once the COVID-19 lockdown was relaxed from October last year. However, in late March it halted the "onboarding" process -- return of students to campus -- due the second wave of COVID-19.

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