55 to undergo Covid-19 test at 2 Panjab varsity hostels today

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 15

The UT Health Department will conduct testing of students (hostellers), staff, mess workers and others at two girls’ hostels (hostel number 1 & 2) at Panjab University tomorrow after Covid cases surfaced from one of the hostels here.

Mandatory testing of 55 persons will be held on Sunday as the PU authorities have been asked to submit the data of students, staff, workers and their contacts. The authorities maintained that some students were found to Covid positive in addition to previously reported cases among staff and workers.

“After the cases surfaced, we wrote to the PU CMO, who further brought it to the notice of the UT Health Department. As per protocol, the Health Department will conduct testing of residents, workers and staff of these two hostels. Cases were reported from girls’ hostel number 2 and students were having their meal in the common mess in girls’ hostel number 1,” said an official, seeking anonymity.

Source said: “The rest of the procedure (to isolate or let go students to their respective hometowns) will be considered as per the directions of the Health Department. A total of 55 persons will undergo this mandatory test. They all have to appear for the test and a list has already been prepared.”

“A total of seven out of 18 staff members and two students are reported to be facing problems since April 19. Out of the seven, four had rejoined the duty but they were facing post-Covid complications and the remaining are infected and quarantined. Two girl students left the hostel together on May 12 and one of them has informed to be reported positive (on May 13) after reaching home, while there’s no information about another girl,” said an official of the medical team.

“An attendant, who tested Covid positive yesterday, came in contact with several hostel staff, canteen workers and residents of the hostel. She also came in contact with the protesting students on May 12 while serving them water. Residents of other hostels also come to these two hostels, which increases the possibility of further spread,” said the PU spokesperson.

‘Vacate hostel premises’

PU Dean Student Welfare (DSW) Prof SK Tomar issued an appeal to hostellers for vacating the premises. The students were asked to leave before May 15 to which they have already refused. “Hostel residents should go back to their homes for their safety. In order to break the transmission chain, it’s hereby again advised that those who are still staying in hostels should go back. It’s in the larger interest of all of us and for the safety of residents and staff. Several hostel cleaners, attendants, gardeners and mess canteen workers, including wardens and office staff, contracted infection in the past few days. The administrative block, Vice-Chancellor’s office and some other departments/buildings have been closed for few days,” said Tomar.

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