Covid cluster? 119 students, staff test positive at IIT-Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: In a major scare at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT-H), 119 students and staff tested positive for Covid-19 between January 6 and January 11, authorities said.
While 45 of them - 22 undergraduate students, 14 postgraduate students, seven research scholars, one regular staff member, and an outsourced plumber - tested positive on Tuesday, remaining 74 tested positive over the past week.

Students said that instead of having a separate isolation facility for the infected, they are made to stay on the top floors of hostel buildings, which is causing inconvenience to others. A student seeking anonymity also claimed their requests seeking permission to leave the campus are all on hold.
"We are scared to stay in the same building along with those who had tested positive. Why can't they have a separate building or shut the campus and send students home so that we will be safe at our places?" said the student.
Another student added, “Soon after the first positive case was reported at the institute, I sought permission to go home. But, so far, there is no response from the authorities concerned. It’s not being given easily,”.
B S Murty, director, IITH, denied the charges and said that all required norms are being followed for the safety of residents on campus.
“We have made isolation arrangements on the top floors of hostels and students who tested positive are not allowed to step outside. Medicines and food are sent to their doorsteps and their health is being monitored regularly,” said Murty adding that students who want to leave the campus are free to go.
“We have even written emails to both state and central ministers as authorities are not addressing our concerns. Out of fear, some students have even left the campus,” said a student.