In Chennai, COVID clusters in many colleges identified - What could be the reason behind the increase?
Posted on: 04/Jun/2022 5:16:05 PM
After a reduction in the number of Coronavirus cases in Chennai for some time, there has been a huge increase now in the Coronavirus cases. The Covid-19 cases have been mostly reported from the educational institutions or colleges in and around Chennai. First IIT-M reported Covid-19 clusters and it was followed by Anna University. Recently, many Covid-19 cases were also reported from educational institutions like VIT Kelambakkm, Chennai and Sri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research etc.
It was mentioned by an official belonging to VIT Chennai that online classes have started for both hostelers as well as for the day scholars. Truth is that VIT Chennai has begun classes for all the first year students through online mode now. Mostly, educational institutions are taking precautions like conducting online classes plus isolating Covid-19 positive students etc. These were done to prevent the spread of Coronavirus infection on the college campuses.
Two major reasons for the increase in the number of Covid-19 cases now at the educational institutions were non adherence of Covid-19 protocols and conducting events with large numbers of students etc. As per a senior health officer it was clear that the majority of educational institutions have not been following Covid-19 appropriate behaviour.
The senior health officer then explained that both social distancing as well as wearing of face masks have gone for a toss now. The collectors as well as the health officers have been instructed by the health department to keep a track of students with travel history, especially students who took part in some event or from other states etc.
It was later brought out by the colleges that it would not be possible for them to keep an eye on the students always regarding wearing facemasks and social distancing etc on their campuses. Surveillance for 24hours for 7 days would not be possible and this was according to administrative staff belonging to a private university in Chennai.
As per the vice-chancellor of Anna University, Mr. Velraj few events were organised after 2 long years of Coronavirus pandemic and many students participated in the events. He added that this could be the reason for the sudden Covid clusters.
