About 85 people, including staff members of ITC Grand Chola located in Guindy, Tamil Nadu,have tested positive for COVID-19 since December 15 last year, a senior official said on Saturday. Of the total of 609 samples collected till date, 85 samples were found to be positive. After the reports, the Greater Chennai Corporation has been instructed to carry out saturation testing of all the guests at the hotel, Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan said. 

An official release from the Hotel, said all events at the property have been conducted in adherence to the norms mandated by the authorities. Only 50 per cent capacity of the hall is used to ensure maximum distancing and safety, it said. The first case was reported on December 15 after a chef got infected. As many as 16 and 13 cases were reported on December 31, 2020, and January 1, 2021 respectively. “Of the total of 609 samples collected till now from the hotel and in and around the residences of the staff, 85 have so far been found to be positive. They all displayed mild symptoms and were sent home after treatment,” Radhakrishnan said. 

ITC Grand Chola said all associates were regularly tested and monitored, “which is an ongoing process and part of our hygiene protocol.” “Extreme care and diligence continues to be followed at all touch points and all necessary information has been shared with the authorities,” the Hotel management said. Radhakrishnan said hotels are periodically screened and have been sensitised. They were also told to strictly adhere to the government guidelines on precautions. Following this, the corporation, which commenced screening of staff and guests at luxury hotels on Saturday, hopes to complete COVID- 19 tests at over 25 luxury hotels in two days.

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