Hyderabad: Days after schools and colleges across Telangana resumed their regular physical teaching classes, the University of Hyderabad (UoH) has reported 3 of its students positive with covid-19 in the past 5 days.
Though the university hasn’t reopened its institution for altogether, it had recently permitted final year PG students to return to the university for getting done with their laboratory related work so as to be ready by June for their graduation.
All the 3 students belong to the MSc course offered at the School of Life Science, University of Hyderabad.
The task force, in an email, addressed to the students, had said, They are among the post-graduate students in their final semester that the task force had permitted to return to the campus in phases so that they could complete the laboratory/practical work before they graduate in June.”
Post receiving the permission, students completed their 7 day quarantine period at designated centers within the university after which, they were sent to their respective hostels. All the infected students stayed in the same hostel- LH 8, though the entire area has been sanitized now. As such, the university management has alerted other students who came in contact with those who tested positive to get themselves tested if any symptoms appear or to rule out the chance of having the disease along with the strict adherence to the guidelines.
The institution has asked the HODs and the dean of the Science school for acting fast and shifting the infected students to quarantine centers within the campus or hospitals.
Other students acquainted with the 3 said that they had been showing symptoms for many days after which they tested positive for the virus.
Till now, the university has allowed more than 700 research scholars and students in Master’s courses to come back to college, though in phases, for continuing their studies. A blueprint for the months to come is also underway.
On the other hand, the task force is requiring a negative test report from all students and mandatory isolation for 7 days at a university allotted center before entering the academic workplace. Currently, the university facility can house 130 students- 100 male students and 30 females.
The task force has also underlined the many incidences when students violated the covid-19 norms by showing inappropriate behavior, including “mixing in close proximity with other students without wearing masks and leaving the isolation facility for departments before the mandatory seven-day period ends”. It has urged students to remain cautious and abide by all guidelines in place for diminishing the spread of coronavirus across mess halls, labs, hostels, and other such public places.
Many other students waiting to get back to their classes are demanding the university to reopen the college. However, the UoH is awaiting a response from the ministry of education and the University Grant Commission for a clear notice on this.
