Panic bells as 66 students of Dharwad medical college test positive

As many as 66 students tested positive for the Corona vir us in SDM Medical College in Dharwad on Thursday triggering panic among citizens of HubballiDharwad as the college is situated between the twin cities.

The college authorities claimed that the infection spread after an event organized in the campus last week in which more than two hundred students took part. Around 3,000 college staff and students have given their swabs and their reports are expected only on Friday. The district administration said that the number of Corona infected persons may increase. Students from neighbouring Maharashtra and Kerala study at the college.

Deputy commissioner Nitesh Patil visited the college and held a video conference with the authorities. He confirmed that 500 students had given their swabs and 66 of them had tested positive till Thursday morning at 10 am. He also said that all those who have come in contact with these students will be tested.

The administration has sealed the hostels and students who have given their swabs are in quarantine. Patil also advised all patients in SDM institute to follow Covid norms to contain the spread of the virus.

“Residents of HubballiDharwad twin cities should be careful as the pandemic is not over yet. The infected students are asymptomatic as they have taken the second dose of the vaccine. I advise people of the twin cities to cancel marriage or any other cultural programmes and maintain social distancing”, Nitesh Patil said.

The college authorities have cancelled all programmes including the birthday function of Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala Dr Veerendra Heggade. The officials of the district health and family welfare department, Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation, SDM administrative board and police officials are working together to contain the spread of the virus.

The Covid positivity rate in Dharwad district was zero per cent since the last few days. But, the figure suddenly increased to 2 per cent on Thursday due to the positive cases in SDM medical college. Sources said the positive cases in the college may cross 100 on Friday.