AMU fears new type of covid-19 in Aligarh, after death of 18 professors

Due to the death of 18 professors of Aligarh Muslim University in the last 20 days, the entire administration expressed apprehension that a new variety of COVID-19 has developed in Aligarh. 

AMU Vice Chancellor Professor Tariq Mansoor has sent a letter to ICMR in this regard, requesting genome screening of covid-19 samples. 

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“I kindly request you to instruct the concerned section/department of ICMR to perform analysis of Covid-19 samples sent from our lab to investigate for any particular viral variants of Covid-19 virus circulating in Aligarh, which may be giving rise to greater severity of disease, so that we may consider other epidemiological links and measures to control the same,” Professor Mansoor said in the letter.

The letter has requested to direct the concerned section and department of ICMR to analyze the covid-19 samples sent from our lab to ascertain if a new variety of covid-19 virus has developed in Aligarh. 

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He has sought instructions from the ICMR so that suitable measures can be considered for the eradication of the epidemic from the proposed measures.

 “This is giving rise to a suspicion that a particular viral variant may be circulating in the Civil Lines area of Aligarh in which AMU and many adjoining localities are situated"

"I request you to instruct the concerned section/department of the ICMR to perform analysis of Covid-19 samples sent from our lab 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,” Mansoor added in the letter.

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The Director General has been requested to direct the concerned ICMR Section and Department to analyze the covid-19 samples. 

The VC wrote that it is to be brought to your attention that 16 AMU teachers and many other retired teachers and employees, who were residing in the university campus and surrounding areas, have died from covid-19. 

It is believed that a special type of virus is spreading in the civil lines area adjacent to the university. 

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