V-C writes to ICMR, seeks genome sequencing of virus variant
THE SPIKE IN DEATHS WAS GIVING RISE TO A SUSPICION THAT A PARTICULAR VIRUS VARIANT MIGHT BE VIRULENT IN THE CIVIL LINES AREA OF ALIGARH, SAID THE AMU VC
AGRA : Alarmed after the death of 16 serving AMU faculty members, besides many retired teachers and employees within a short period of 20 to 25 days on the university campus and in the adjoining localities, the vicechancellor (V-C) of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has written to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for genome sequencing of the virus active on the campus.
“Sixteen serving faculty members of Aligarh Muslim University and a number of retired teachers and other employees living on the university campus and in adjoining localities, have succumbed to Covid-19 within a short period of time,” said V-C Professor Tariq Mansoor in his letter written on Sunday to Prof Balram Bhargava, the director general of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Delhi.
“The spike in deaths is giving rise to a suspicion that a particular virus variant may be virulent in the Civil Lines area of Aligarh in which AMU and many adjoining localities are situated,” stated the letter.
“The ICMR approved Covid-19 testing laboratory of microbiology department of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College of AMU is sending samples as per ICMR guidelines for viral genome sequencing to CSIR Institute of Genomic and Integrated Biology,” stated the V-C’s letter.
“I request you to instruct the section/department concerned of the ICMR to perform analysis of Covid-19 samples sent from our lab (JNMC, AMU) to investigate for any particular viral variants of Covid-19 virus circulating in Aligarh, which may be giving rise to greater severity of the disease, so that we may consider other epidemiological links and measures to control the same as per advice and recommendations,” said Prof Mansoor.
Meanwhile, Faizul Hasan, the former president Aligarh Muslim University Students’ Union has sought high level enquiry into the deaths of about ‘two dozen professors’ of AMU during the second wave of pandemic.
According to him, at least 45, including serving professors, retired faculty members and employees linked to AMU, have died within a period of 20 to 25 days.
“There have been deaths of two dozen professors within 20 to 25 days and the toll continues to rise despite the fact that there is no shortcoming at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College. These deaths might be the outcome of medical negligence,” complained Faizul Hasan.
“I demand a high-level enquiry by retired judge or CBI so that guilty could be punished,” said former president of Aligarh Muslim University Students’ Union.