Over 40 staff members of Coimbatore TNAU tested positive for Covid; more tests to be conducted
Coimbatore: With the city grappling to contain the outbreak of novel Coronavirus which has so far claimed over 400 lives, the district administration, health department and the city corporation have ramped up testing in a phased manner at all residential areas and organisations, where large number of people are employed.
In one such such mass testing initiative held at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University here on September 28 -29, close to 580 staff members of various departments in TNAU were subjected to COVID PCR testing.
"Out of the 580 samples taken, 40 staff members were declared as positive. Though the University campus has not been sealed, the departments in which the positive staff members were working has been subjected to thorough fumigation", told Dr.T.Raguchander, Dean, Students Welfare.
Rubbishing the reports that 100 plus staff members were tested positive for the virus and the University has plans to close down, for a while, Dr.T.Raguchander clarified that TNAU meticulously follows the health departments protocol for Covid management. And, presently the situation doesn't warrant to seal the premises.
Briefing on the day to day Covid prevention methods followed at TNAU, Dean of Students Wrelfare, TNAU said that disposable masks are daily provided to daily wage workers engaged in farm works and dairy farming. Weekly 200 ml sanitisers, multi vitamin tablets, Kabasura Kudineer every alternate day along with regular screening of temperature is carried strictly, he told.
He also informed that request has been placed on behalf of the University to the Corporation and Health department to ramp up tests for the remaining staff.The University has over 2000 staff members working in various departments.
As only 150 PCR testing kits are being allotted to the Primary health centre in PN Pudur which carries tests at TNAU, we have requested the health department to expedite the tests for other staff members at a stretch, he added.
He also noted that every Wednesday, Siddha consultation is made available for all staff members at the in-house dispensary. Immunity boosters and advice on balanced healthy diet is provided to the staff members, he told.
With regard to the 40 staff members tested positive for Covid, Dr.T.Raguchander told that many of them have even been discharged. Surprisingly, all the 40 staff members were asymptomatic and were send to Covid Care Centres at GCT and Karunya institute in Siruvani road.
Considering the welfare of the staff members, Dr.T.Raguchander stressed that TNAU will strive hard and extend its fullest cooperation in combatting the novel Coronavirus by adhering to all State protocols.