Aligarh Muslim University Vice Chancellor Tariq Mansoor writes to ICMR for viral genome sequencingAfter 16 of its faculty members, other employees and retired teachers living in the vicinity of the campus died of COVID-19, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has written to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) asking for an analysis of the samples to find out what was behind the surge. The V-C’s letter said: “This is to bring into your notice that 16 AMU faculty members, a number of retired teachers and employees in other categories, who were living in the university campus and adjoining localities have succumbed to COVID-19. 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.”When asked about the high number of AMU staff who died of COVID-19, Mr. Peerzada said: “The university is deeply concerned with the death of its faculty members, including retired teachers and other employees. The list which is being circulated on social media includes the names of several retired faculty members who were residing outside Aligarh. Non-Covid deaths are also included in this list.”

Source: The Hindu May 09, 2021 13:41 UTC