7 IIT Bombay students test positive for COVID

All infected students were double vaccinated and their samples have been sent for genome sequencing. 

Seven students of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay have tested positive for Covid. As per an India TV report, all seven students were double vaccinated and have been isolated with mild symptoms. Meanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has sealed the hostel where the infected patients are staying. 

The contact tracing is being done and their samples have been sent for genome sequencing. The BMC has so far tested over 220 high-risk contacts of the hostel inmates, the reports of whom are awaited. 

Union Health Secretory Rajesh Bhushan has written to all states and union territories and warned that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is thrice more transmissible than Delta variant. 

He wrote, “Omicron is at least three times more transmissible than Delta. Hence, even greater foresight, data analysis, dynamic decision making and strict and prompt containment action are required at the local and district level.” 

The first case at IIT Bombay was detected on October 16. Now, the total number of Covid cases on the campus is 16. The infected patients include nine students. 

Currently, Maharashtra has highest number of Omicron cases in India at 65 each followed by Delhi (54), Telangana (20) and Karnataka (19). 

IIT Bombay is set to welcome second-year BTech students in January, but the decision to return to the campus will be voluntary. 

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