One of the premier technical institutions Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) has turned into a Covid-19 cluster with 210 positive cases reported till date and some more are expected.

Here’s a look at all the developments on the outbreak.

1. Government’s decision to shut down the IIT campus temporarily

With a major outbreak of coronavirus inside the premises of IIT Madras, Tamil Nadu Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan advised to place the campus under containment and shut it down temporarily. Covid infected students are being treated at the King’s Institute of Preventive Medicine and Research as per the directive of Chief Minister K Palaniswami.

2. Students’ allegation on lack of safety precautions

Students alleged that all 700 students were staying at the hostel and some actively used the labs for research activities. They also alleged that only one mess was there to serve food and overcrowding lead to the outbreak.

3. Violations in SOP

According to sources, several violations in the Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) were reported inside the campus by the students and outsiders who come regularly to work in the institution.

4. Source of infection not yet identified

While the management has not yet zeroed down on the source of infection, they have pointed out that the mess workers were among the first to be diagnosed with COVID 19.

5. Collection of samples by the Chennai Corporation

According to the corporation’s data, 6,344 samples were taken from college students in the city till Wednesday. “Of the total samples tested, as many as 210 students were confirmed positive for the virus,” an official said. As of Thursday, the civic body was awaiting the results of 2,361 samples. The civic body began collecting samples from educational institutions soon after more than 70 COVID cases were reported at IIT-Madras.