IIT Madras sees COVID-19 spike, issues SOPs for students, teachers

IIT Madras closes all its departments after several students test COVID-19 positive. The institute has also released SOPs to contain the further spread of the virus. 

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has released Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) after 104 students tested positive for COVID-19. The institute has shut down its departments, centers, labs and the library after a spurt in COVID-19 cases in hostels. The hostels are being run at 10 per cent of its total capacity. The administration has also made arrangements to test all the students residing inside the campus for the infection. Apart from 104 students, several other staff workers also tested positive.
The IIT Madras has issued guidelines for all the students, teachers and staff members to avoid further spread of infections. Students have been asked to stay in their hostel rooms and packaged food will be supplied to them. Students are also advised to attend online lectures. 

Research scholars have been advised to conduct their experimental work in a cautious manner. They are mandated to undergo 14-day quarantine process and get tested for COVID-19. The Institute will determine the number of research scholars to be allowed inside the campus.
IIT Madras has been in touch with the civic authorities and updating them about all precautionary steps taken by them. Chennai had reported 340 new cases in the last 24 hours. Faculty and students have been asked to work from home.

IIT Madras had begun the first phase of campus placements on December 1, 2020. Students had received approximately 182 pre-placement offers so far this year, improving from last year’s 170 offers, despite the ongoing pandemic situation. According to the official reports, the companies that offered the highest number of pre-placement offers include Texas Instruments (12), Microsoft (12), Qualcomm (10), Goldman Sachs (9), and American Express (9). The reports also suggest that the first phase of campus placements will begin today, December 1, 2020. However, in 2019, students received 831 offers in the first phase of IIT Madras placement.

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• IIT Madras Courses & Fees 2021