Covid stuation in A.M.U.
An unusual calm has descended the A.M.U. campus after a spate of deaths in the university and its adjoining areas, due to Covid infection. The second wave of the deadly virus has left the campus bereft of not only the usual hullabaloo but many faculty members also, who would be sorely missed. While the figures circulating on social media indicate that at least 50 academicians (retired as well as working) have lost their life due to Covid infections, Prof. Shafey Kidwai, refutes the claim, “The official figure stands at not more than 25 teaching staff, the rest are mostly retired teachers, who were not even staying in Aligarh, so there is no point in creating panic among residents of the city”. He further added, “However we are deeply saddened at the demise of all teachers, who have been associated with A.M.U. and even one death is a matter of concern. We stand with the bereaved families”.
The administration was rattled regarding the sudden spike in fatalities and the Vice Chancellor asked the ICMR to check the samples for a new variant. The microbiology laboratory at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College sent samples to the Institute of Genomics and Integrated Biology laboratory, New Delhi, for genome sequencing. However according to ICMR, no new variant was detected in the samples. According to Prof. Haris Khan, Chairman of the Microbiology Department, A.M.U., “Out of the 20 samples which were sent to the ICMR, 18 (90%) were found to be of the B.1.617.2. Variant”. It is also called the “double mutant” and was first discovered in Maharashtra in September, 2020.
U.P. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the A.M.U. campus on 13 May and assured the officials of all possible help, including oxygen cylinders. In view of the third wave the administration has also been asked to beef up preparations, especially a pediatrics unit as the third wave is speculated to be harmful for children. The state as well as central government has assured all infrastructural help in setting up of a pediatrics I.C.U. as well as other related health facilities. The Vice-Chancellor also thanked the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and U.P. Chief Minister for their support to the University during this unprecedented crisis.
Prof. Tariq Mansoor has constituted a ten member committee to look into the development of health facilities and expansion of beds, I.C.U. and related services. Prof. Mansoor also added that, “While all efforts are being made to tackle the present second wave; we have to be prepared for a possible third wave that is estimated to affect children the most”. Help desk has also been set up in the University to ensure hassle free service to the family members of all those teaching and non-teaching staff members, who succumbed to the virus. The vaccination drive has also been accelerated in the campus and the V.C. has been urging all employees to take the jab without delay. The Vice-Chancellor office have been issuing regular advisories, through circulars, notifications as well as social media advising the university fraternity and their families to get vaccinated on priority.
The Brief. Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now.