Kerala college closes hostels due to chickenpox outbreak

A chickenpox outbreak has forced the College of Engineering Thiruvananthapuram (CET) to close its hostels and shift classes online. The precautionary measures were taken after over five cases were recorded on campus recently. According to The Hindu, the college administration suspended in-person classes to minimize exposure and curb the spread. All hostel residents were told to leave by noon on Thursday (March 6). The campus will stay closed until March 15, with all academic activities shifted online. District health authorities also have ramped up measures to contain the outbreak, establishing monitoring committees at various levels and implementing necessary precautions. Educational activities will also be conducted to raise awareness about the disease and its prevention among students and the public.
This is not the first chickenpox outbreak at CET. In 2018, 19 students were affected, leading to a two-week campus shutdown.