Chennai: IIT Madras reported eight new COVID-19 positive cases on Wednesday, taking the total number to 191 since December 1. The institution reported sporadic cases of the coronavirus infection earlier this month and eventually became a COVID-19 cluster.
As many as 104 cases were reported on Monday and 79 on Tuesday. The state health department intervened to check the spread, with Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) testing 1000 samples, including 770 from students.
After two students reported fever, the GCC also tested 550 people in the neighbouring Anna University on Tuesday. The students with fever tested negative, but six others had contracted the deadly virus at the university.
“The main issue is that there is no mask compliance,” health secretary J Radhakrishnan was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times. “You obviously have to remove your mask while eating, but the danger is when people gather to eat and have conversations in a group. We have to continue to be careful until we get a vaccine,” the health secretary said.
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