COVID-19: 98 people test positive after attending a funeral in Maharashtra

Uran Taluka in Raigad, Maharashtra was declared a red zone by the authorities after 98 people tested positive in the region. The people of the village had attended a funeral flouting all social distancing norms following which more and more cases are expected.

Raigad (Maharashtra): Uran taluk in Raigad district of Maharashtra for a while has been enjoying a status of green status having recorded only seven positive cases so far though Maharashtra on whole has been witnessing severe pandemic situation. But this particular distinction was short-lived as there was a recent spike in cases prompting the officials to declare it as a red zone. In Karanja village alone, the number of corona victims has reached 98 and is expected to increase.

The reason for this spurt of positive cases in the village was attributed to a recent funeral ceremony, which was reportedly attended by hundreds of people, flouting all the norms of social distancing.

Earlier two people had died in Karanja village in Uran taluka. Relatives from the village as well as from the taluka and other places had come to attend the funeral. After the last rites, about 400 to 500 people had gathered for the rest of the programmes and during the time no social distancing was practised.

After the funeral, Asha workers had visited the village to examine the people, however, people in the village did not cooperate.

The administration then, with the help of police, sent a 43-year-old person's swab for examination. There was panic in the village after the man's report turned positive. Soon after that, the people he came in contact with were also tested. The numbers gradually increased to 98, owing to the subsequent tests.

Hundreds of people from Karanja village had attended the funeral and the number of positive cases is expected to rise.

Currently, the administration has completely sealed Karanja village and declared it as a red zone.

There have been repeated calls from the government to avoid crowded places and adhere to the social distancing norms to prevent the spread of corona. Despite this, it was ignored by the villagers in Karanja village in Uran taluka. They are now facing consequences for ignoring these rules.