Chennai: IIT Madras Campus shutdown of all departments and facilities with immediate effect due to Covid-19 outbreak.  IIT Madras Campus is placed under temporary lockdown, said authorities in a circular on Sunday.

According to health authorities, 71 Covid- 19 cases were reported in the last two weeks, of which 66 are students, four mess staff and one from resident quarters. The single-day highest spike was on Sunday with 32 fresh cases and the number is likely to go up in the next couple of days with Tamil Nadu Government instructing the institute to test all the students on the campus.

“In view of the recent spike in Covid- 19 cases in the hostel sector, it has been decided to shut down all departments, Centres and the library immediately until further notice. All faculty, staff, project staff and research scholars will work from home until such time. All students, scholars and project staff staying on campus are advised strictly to confine themselves to their hostel rooms and maintain social distance at all times for their own safety,” said in a circular.

The advisories issued earlier by administration, Tamil Nadu Government and Government of India are to be fully complied with. “In case of any symptoms of Covid- 19 (fever, dry cough, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste/smell, or any other symptoms) you are required to contact the IIT Madras hospital authorities immediately,” the circular says.

As per the official information, there are nine student hostels and one guest house from which Covid- 19 cases were reported. A total of 774 students are currently residing on the campus, of which samples were collected from 408 students as on date. Krishna hostel reported the maximum Covid- 19 cases of 22 followed by 20 cases from Jamuna.