Just when the spread of Coronavirus infection in Tamil Nadu appeared to be receding, the premier technical institute of Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) has turned into a COVID-19 hotspot.

IIT-M students who tested positive for coronavirus has increased to 103 on Monday and there is fear that the number might go up.

All those who have tested positive including research scholars and staff have been admitted to the Kings Institute here.

The students allege that the IIT-M's decision to run only one mess could be the most probable reason for the large scale spread of coronavirus.

One cannot ensure mask or social distancing as students mostly eat and are in congregation -- that too in large numbers.

A total of 774 students are in the campus and most of those who were infected were residents of two hostels -- Krishna and Jamuna.

"These two hostels were not used as COVID-19 quarantine centres. The infection could be multiple sources," a research scholar told IANS preferring anonymity.

(IANS)