Chennai, June 2 (BPNS)

The Tamil Nadu health department is on high alert over the increase in number of Covid -19 positive cases in the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Kelambakkam campus.

The campus has around 15000 students of which 5600 are first-year students.

The health department has conducted 4092 RT-PCR tests and 163 students tested positive. The department will be conducting tests on 1500 students on Thursday and Friday and is expecting 30 to 40 students testing positive. The increase in Covid -19 cases on the campus is a matter of concern for the health department.

State health minister, Ma Subramanian while speaking to BPNS said, “ The students who were tested positive in the first two days have tested negative for the infection, and this a welcome indicator. I have met the students most of whom are from North Indian states and have asked them not to worry and to reassure their parents. The students are expected to get well within 10 days and we have advised the institute not to declare a holiday.”

He said that 99 percent of the cases were of Omicron sub-variant and of this a majority is BA.2 variant. A student with BA.4 variant and another diagnosed with BA.3 variant has recovered.

The minister also said that people must be careful even while leading their normal life and has to adhere to Covid -19 protocols including wearing masks, safe distancing, and sanitization of hands.

Tamil Nadu health secretary, J. Radhakrishnan has already sent a circular to all the district collectors of the state to be on alert against the increasing cases in various districts. The district collectors are directed to strictly ensure that people are adhering to Covid -19 protocols.