Covid-19: 26 cases in Maharashtra, schools-colleges shut

With another four patients testing positive for coronavirus in Yavatmal, the total number of cases in Maharashtra climbed to 26 and the state government ordered shutting of all schools, colleges and anganwadis in urban centres, here on Saturday.

Yavatmal District Collector M.D. Singh informed the media that the two patients are among nine persons with a recent history of travelling to Dubai. The seven others tested negative.

Besides, Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai health officer Daksha Shah said that one more positive case was found in the city, taking the total cases to 5 so far.

With this, the total number of patients undergoing treatment include 10 in Pune, five in Mumbai, four in Nagpur, two in Yavatmal and one each in Thane, Kalyan, Vashi, Raigad and Ahmednagar.

In a potential scare, a senior citizen who recently returned from Dubai was showing symptoms, passed away in Buldhana and his samples have been sent for testing to confirm his Covid-19 status.

Health Minister Rajesh Tope informed the assembly that as a precautionary measure, the state government has directed all schools and colleges in urban centres to remain shut till March 31.

However, the time-tables of ongoing SSC-HSC examinations will not be disturbed and shall continue as announced.

The shutdown will also be applicable to other educational institutions like tuition or coaching classes.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar urged the people to celebrate weddings and other functions only at the family level to avoid crowds.

He also warned that those cinemas/multiplexes which flout the ban order issued yesterday would attract stringent action.

Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said that the government has ordered a medical checkup on all prisoners or undertrials lodged across the state for Covid-19.

The Mumbai Diamond Merchants Association (MDMA) on Saturday cancelled its upcoming elections on March 17 followed by its AGM on March 21 till further orders.

In a statement, MDMA President Mahendra V. Gandhi said a meeting was held today with office-bearers of Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) and Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) to discuss ways and means to keep diamond factories and workshops free of CoronaVirus especially since it employs a large number of youth from Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Earlier, the IIT-Bombay announced suspension of all classrooms and laboratory instructions till March 29 besides imposing a series of precautionary restrictions on students, foreigners, dayscholars and hostellers, faculty, staff, visitors, etc.

Meanwhile, health officials said that the condition of all the patients undergoing treatment at various isolation wards around the state is “stable”.-IANS News