The campus of the Indian Institute of Technology - Madras (IIT-M) has become a distressing cluster as the Covid cases have been surging, which has become a major challenge for the state government to contain the rampant spread amid responding to the spike in fresh cases across the state. So far, the IIT-M has reported 111 Covid cases as of Tuesday morning - April 26. 

Tamil Nadu Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan has on Tuesday said that the institute has reported 32 fresh cases, which took the tally to 111. Of these 111 cases, only two have been recovered so far. It has been reported that the tests are being conducted in student hostels and other places on the campus. On Monday, Radhakrishnan, along with Chennai Zonal medical officer Dr Alby, had visited the institute and interacted with the students and the faculty. 

The health secretary has instructed the students on campus to monitor their health and observe social distancing. Earlier, the institute said, "We are enforcing Covid-19 compliance rigorously with student volunteers. In addition to this, all students are fully vaccinated. IIT Madras has handled three waves effectively, and we believe that the lessons learnt will help us handle the current cases effectively." 

Amid being surfaced with the concerns over the fourth Covid wave, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has held a virtual meeting with the district collectors during which he had directed them to ensure that the public follows Covid-19 protocols. He said that the government machinery should be prepared to face any kind of situation. On Monday, the state health department has taken 1,121 samples from the students in the IIT Madras. 

According to the health department, Tamil Nadu has recorded 55 fresh Covid cases, 27 discharges, and zero deaths on Monday. Overall, the state had recorded 34,53,607 cases so far as of Monday of which 362 are active, 34,15,220 were discharged, and 38,025 had succumbed to the pandemic.