At least 900 people in Delhi have been quarantined after they came in contact with a mohalla clinic doctor who tested positive for coronavirus, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on Thursday. The quarantined also include all patients who had visited the Maujpur clinic run by the doctor.
Jain said four others, including the doctor’s wife and daughter, have also tested positive for Covid-19. The doctor got the virus after coming in contact with an infected woman who returned from Saudi Arabia, Jain said.
The Shahdara Sub-Divisional Magistrate ordered that all those who visited or were present at the mohalla clinic in Mohanpuri area of Maujpur between March 12 and March 18 must stay in home quarantine for 15 days. They were asked to immediately contact the control room in case they display any virus-related symptoms.
The doctor at a mohalla (community) clinic in northeast Delhi has tested positive for coronavirus, health officials said. His wife and daughter, who were also found to be infected with coronavirus, have been admitted to a hospital.
According to an official from the health department of Delhi government, the clinic has been shut down and is being sanitised.
Mohalla clinics are community health centres set up by the Delhi government that offer primary healthcare services. They are meant for economically weaker sections of society so the spread of the COVID-19 infection in the community could have disastrous consequences.
Maujpur also happens to be one of the areas worst hit by the last month's violence against Muslims and has people still trying to rebuild their lives.
Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said five new coronavirus cases were reported in the capital in the past 24 hours, pushing the number of total cases to 35.
Among the five new cases reported in the past 24 hours is a foreign national, Mr Kejriwal said.
Amid reports of police attacks on delivery executives of online retailers selling basic necessities, he said the government will begin issuing e-passes for them.
Mr Kejriwal said people ensuring essential services such as milk sellers, vegetable vendors and grocers can call helpline 1031 to get the passes on their mobile phones through WhatsApp.
Addressing a news conference with Lt Governor Anil Baijal, the chief minister said people can walk down to shops nearby to buy items of daily use, and they don't need any pass for it.