Delhi: Azadpur mandi trader dies of COVID-19

Azadpur wholesale fruit and vegetable market reported its first COVID-19 death on Tuesday after a 57-year vegetable trader lost his life, creating panic among sellers who demanded the closure of the market. This comes a day after the state government allowed the Azadpur Mandi to operate round-the-clock.

New Delhi: The Azadpur wholesale fruit and vegetable market- Asia’s biggest wholesale market (mandi)- reported its first COVID-19 related death after a 57-year old vegetable dealer died on Tuesday.

His death created fear among sellers who demanded the market’s closure and initiation of containment actions.

District Magistrate (North) Deepak Shinde informed, "The 57-year-old man was confirmed positive on Monday after his sample was collected on April 19. A team has been deployed to trace the people who came in contact with him in the last few days."

The District Magistrate also said that the shop of the 57-year old COVID-19 deceased and its neighbouring areas have been cordoned off.

Meanwhile, traders demanded a complete lockdown of the market.

"The authorities are being very negligent about COVID-19 spread in the market. We request the government to shut the market for the time being, " said a local trader.

The COVID-19 death comes a day after the state government allowed the Azadpur Mandi to operate round-the-clock.