In first Covid case in JNU this year, student tests positive; JNUSU calls for setting up care centre
As Delhi witnesses a rise in Covid cases, a student of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) residing in its Godavari Hostel has tested positive for coronavirus, prompting the students union to demand immediate action from the administration.
In a letter to the vice-chancellor, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union said, 'We ask to set up a COVID Care Centre in JNU (as directed by Delhi Court in 2021), provide medical supervision, testing & supplies for affected students, and conduct emergency sanitization of hostels & campus areas.'
On Saturday, the university issued an advisory urging all stakeholders to 'adhere to the precautionary measures like frequent washing of hands/sanitization, wearing a mask during mass gathering, maintaining personal hygiene, in order to prevent its spread in the University Campus.'
The advisory also directed 'the Dean of Schools and Chairpersons of Special Centres… to constitute a COVID Monitoring Committee at School/Special Centre level to monitor effective implementation of the precautionary measures.' It advised the Health Centre and Security Branch to 'adequately inform and sensitize the field functionaries'.
The advisory further instructed that 'employees and their family members, and students who test positive should immediately inform their Concerned Wardens (in case of students) and the Health Centre'.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the JNUSU said it had 'a brief talk with the CMO (Chief Medical Officer) regarding the current COVID-19 situation on the campus and precautions being taken.' The CMO informed the union that 'current COVID-19 positive cases have home isolation as the primary protocol, and as such, there is no requirement for separate isolation wards as of now. Decisions to this effect will be taken as the situation develops.'
The CMO 'advised to continue to practice good respiratory etiquettes (e.g., covering coughs and sneezes, frequent use of hand wash and sanitisation, wearing masks at mass gatherings and personal hygiene).'
JNUSU said the student who tested positive was 'in constant touch with the CMO and under observation… is recovering well and now has mild symptoms (only a headache) and no fever or sore throat'.
The CMO 'has assured us that the situation is not a cause for panic since the vaccination during the earlier COVID-19 waves has significantly reduced the severity of symptoms and the risk involved.'
The JNUSU added, 'JNUSU urges all students to remain calm and follow all the advisories and guidelines from JNUHC. JNUSU has also strongly conveyed [to the] CMO not to release any such 'hostel vacate' advisories as it creates panic among the students who are still in the campus.'
'JNUSU reiterates its demand for a separate COVID care centre within campus itself, instead of vacating entire floors and causing unnecessary trouble for the residents. The well-being of the JNU student community is our priority, and we will keep you updated with any further developments. JNUSU calls upon students to reach out to us for any assistance.'
In 2021, the Delhi High Court directed JNU's vice-chancellor and registrar to examine the feasibility of setting up a Covid care facility on campus.
While hearing a petition filed by the JNU Teachers Association, the court had pointed to 'gross neglect by the JNU administration in a situation which is completely alarming'.
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