Churu: Twenty-five people of the same family tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Churu on Sunday, taking the total tally of patients to 563 in the city. The entire area was immediately sealed by the health authorities and a sanitisation drive was carried out. The locality has been sealed by the authorities and barricades have been put up as a precautionary measure.
All the infected patients have been admitted to Covid-19 care centre for treatment by COVID response team. On Friday, the health department screened the family members and collected their samples for testing. A total of 86 samples were taken for testing out of which 25 people of the same family were tested positive for the virus.
Initially, two family members, who had recently returned from Haridwar, tested positive for the infection. After a few days, almost all the family members came under the grip of the virus, triggering panic in the area.
Dr Dilip Soni, who is posted at Bagadia Hospital in Sujangarh, said, "Two family members went to Haridwar to immerse ashes and they tested positive. We took the samples of the remaining kin and they were also positive."
The health authorities have expressed concern over the spike in coronavirus cases and have advised people to take all the precautionary measures.
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Sitaram Mahich, ASP, Babulal Kuldeep, Deputy Chairman of Municipal Council also visited the locality and instructed the officials to seal the area, appealing people to stay at homes.
Sitaram Mahich, ASP Sujangarh, added, "One of the family members, who had kidney ailments, went to Jaipur for treatment. He died of Covid-19. Father and son went to Haridwar to immerse the ashes of the deceased and there are possibilities that they were infected with the virus in Jaipur. We urge people to follow social distancing norms, wear masks and wash hands regularly."
Churu has become a COVID-19 hotspot in Rajasthan with 563 active cases and two deaths.
Babulal Kuldeep, Vice-chairman of Sujangarh, said, "Two people Namesh and Mohanlal, residing in Ward no 30 initially tested positive for the virus following which 25 family members of the same family tested positive. There were no active cases in our areas but with these numbers, it has become a matter of concern. The entire locality has been sealed and barricades have been put up to restrict the movement of people. We request people to follow all the guidelines and take precautions to contain the spread of the virus."
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At present, the state has reported 9,379 active Covid-19 cases and the death toll is pegged at 613. A total of 25,306 patients have been cured and discharged in the state. The health department is continuously monitoring the situation and has asked people not to step out of their houses if not necessary.
