Three UoH students who returned to campus test positive for COVID-19

Recently, the university had allowed final year post-graduate science students to come back to complete their lab work.

Those who tested positive for the coronavirus are MSc students from the School of Life Science. In an email sent to the students, the task force 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."

Upon their return to the university, the students had stayed in the university quarantine centre and later they were shifted to their hostel. Also, the three COVID-positive students are staying in the same hostel, LH-8.

The university also said that the heads of department and the dean of the school responded quickly and worked with the university authorities to shift the affected students either to the quarantine centre on the campus or to a hospital. They also sanitized the workspaces and have advised other students who came into contact with them to follow safety measures and get tested if they show any symptoms or if they want to rule out infection.

Earlier, too, a few UoH students had tested positive for COVID-19 on the campus.

UoH has so far permitted over 700 research scholars and Master's students to return to the campus in phases to resume their academic work. It is also preparing a roadmap for the next couple of months.

Meanwhile, the UoH task force has asked students returning to the campus to present a COVID-negative report and isolate themselves at the designated facility for seven days before they commence their academic work. The university quarantine center can accommodate 130 students - 30 female and 100 male students.

The task force also pointed out several instances of violations of COVID-appropriate behaviour by the students like "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 appealed to the students to remain alert and follow all COVID-related norms in the hostel, mess halls, labs, and other public spaces.

Reopening of university

Meanwhile, several students who are stuck at home are demanding the university resume their courses.

While the Telangana government has directed undergraduate, post-graduate, and professional colleges within its jurisdiction to reopen from 1 February, the University of Hyderabad is waiting for a clear direction from the ministry of education and the University Grant Commission.