Thiruvananthapuram faced the threat of another intense COVID-19 spread with several clusters forming in different parts of the district.
More than 15 active clusters, including educational institutions and hospitals, are being closely monitored to prevent the uncontrolled spread of the infection. Around 350 students have contracted the infection in the past weekdays.
College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram (CET) has been temporarily closed with over 100 students testing positive for COVID-19. Officials suspect that campaigning for college union elections may have contributed to the surge.
The functioning of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology was also partially affected as several employees succumbed to the infection. The Medical College’s College of Pharmaceutical Sciences had registered several cases on Wednesday.
3,404 positive in the district
The COVID-19 caseload continued to rise in the capital district with 3,404 more people testing positive. With the test positivity rate rising to 32.2%, the number of active cases has risen to 14,365.
Of the fresh cases, the source of infection was unknown in 67 cases. A total of 33 health workers were included among the infected. 412 were recovered during the day.
Shift to CET Online Mode
In view of the COVID-19 cluster in CET, the college council decided to switch to online classes by January 21. A mass COVID-19 testing drive will be conducted in the college on Friday. All symptomatic students have been instructed to undergo the test.
All students except final year B.Tech students and students from other states have been directed to vacate the college hostels before 4 pm on January 15.
The second series examination of final year (seventh semester) BTech students began in online mode on Thursday. All series tests of B.Tech and postgraduate students of first, third and fifth semesters have been postponed. Revised dates will be announced later.