Just as Karnataka has given the go-ahead for commencement of in-person classes in schools from grades VI-XII, 60 students have tested positive for Covid-19 in a pre-university college in Electronics City in Bengaluru.

Of the 60 students of Sri Chaitanya Educational Institutions, who tested positive, authorities confirmed that two students are symptomatic while the others are mostly asymptomatic. One student who had a high fever has been admitted to the government-run Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital in the city.

The cluster outbreak was identified after one of the students in the college hostel complained of diarrhoea and nausea on Sunday and was asked to undergo a RAT test. An RTCPR test  confirmed that the student was Covid-19 positive. Other students were tested later on.  

The college has 485 students enrolled in the hostel and 57 staff including 22 teachers. College authorities said that all of their staff has been vaccinated against Covid-19.

Dr. Srinivas Gulur, the district health officer said that most students travelled to the hostel from September 2 up to 22. “All of them are below 18 and none of them are vaccinated. Students underwent a medical checkup and have also been offered counseling because they were anxious. Understandably so, as they are isolated and also away from parents,” he explained.

Students in quarantine have been provided television sets and other entertainment gadgets. “The hostel facilities are good. As against four students sharing previously, we have made it two-sharing accommodation now,” said Dr Gulur. 

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