It’s ‘serious’ in Indore, Mumbai, Jaipur, Kolkata

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 20

Noting that the Covid-19 situation is “especially serious” in 11 cities, including Mumbai, Pune, Indore, Jaipur, Kolkata and a few other places in West Bengal, the Centre today constituted six inter-ministerial central teams (IMCTs) to make assessment of the situation and augment effort in the states in their fight against the virus.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in orders to Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal observed violation of lockdown measures would risk the spread of Covid.

Apart from making on-spot assessment of the situation and issuing necessary directions to the four states on corrective measures, the IMCTs will submit their report to the Centre in the larger interest of the general public, the MHA said.

“The IMCTs will focus on compliance and implementation of the lockdown measures as per guidelines, supply of essential commodities, social distancing, preparedness of health infrastructure, safety of health professionals and conditions of relief camps for labourers and poor people,” a senior MHA official said.

In the communication to the states, the MHA said there had been several incidents of violence against frontline healthcare professionals, complete violation of social distancing norms and movement of vehicles in urban areas and these should be stopped immediately.

The situation is “especially serious” in Indore in Madhya Pradesh, Mumbai and Pune in Maharashtra, Jaipur in Rajasthan, and Kolkata, Howrah, East Medinipur, North 24 Parganas, Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri in West Bengal, the MHA said. There are 4,203 confirmed cases in Maharashtra and 223 persons have lost their lives, according to the Union Health Ministry data. In Madhya Pradesh, of the 1,407 cases, 70 have succumbed to the disease.

Rajasthan has reported 1,478 cases, of which 14 persons have lost their lives, while in West Bengal, there are 339 confirmed cases and 12 persons have died due to the infection. “Violation of lockdown measures posed a serious health hazard to public and risk for spread of Covid-19,” the MHA said.

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The most-affected

Mumbai & Pune (Maha); Jaipur (Rajasthan); Indore (MP); Kolkata, Howrah, East Medinipur, North 24 Parganas, Darjeeling, Kalimpong & Jalpaiguri (West Bengal)

80% cases asymptomatic

The Health Ministry said 80% of cases are either asymptomatic or with mild symptoms, and that these can be tracked. Over 15% of these become severe, while 5% can turn critical.

53 mediapersons test positive in Mumbai

Fifty-three mediapersons, including reporters and cameramen, in Mumbai have tested positive for Covid-19. The tests were conducted at a special camp for mediapersons by Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi and the BMC. In all, 171 mediapersons had undergone tests of which 53 turned out to be positive. Results of several others are awaited. TNS

Didi opposes visit by central teams

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has objected to the Centre’s decision to send inter-ministerial teams to the state to check implementation of lockdown directives. Accusing the Centre of violating the spirit of federalism, Didi said she must be told why West Bengal had been picked for the visit. TNS

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Region combats virus

jalandhar emerges as new hotspot

Chandigarh: There seems to be some relief in Punjab, as just one case was reported in the last 24 hours. The total count has reached 245. According to the state media bulletin, the condition of one patient is critical and he has been put on ventilator. Jalandhar district is emerging as a hotspot. The total number of Covid-19 patients here has risen to 48. So far, 6,273 of 6,797 samples have been found negative. TNS

HP relaxes curfew 

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday will give certain relaxations in the lockdown to revive its economy, which has suffered losses to the tune of Rs360 crore. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, however, cautioned people to maintain social distancing. Of 2,902 samples taken so far, 39 have tested positive in the state. Only one person has died of infection. TNS

Haryana’s case rate falls

Chandigarh: The rate of positive cases came down to 1.7% from 1.9% in Haryana in the past 24 hours, even though three Covid cases were reported on Monday. In Sonepat, a man and a woman tested positive as they had come in contact with a Delhi Police constable, who was posted at Nizamuddin Markaj and had tested positive. A Tablighi Jamaati tested positive in Panchkula. TNS

14 new cases in valley

Srinagar: Kashmir’s infection tally rose to 368 on Monday after 14 persons tested positive for the virus. However, no new case was reported from Srinagar district, which has several red zones. Bandipora continues to be the hotspot as seven fresh cases are from the district. Five samples tested positive at Chest Disease Hospital and nine at SKIMS in Srinagar. TNS