9000 Tablighi Jamaat contacts quarantined, 1306 foreigners: Health Ministry

As spread of Coronavirus continues to increase, Union Health Ministry in its daily media briefing on Thursday informed that since yesterday 328 positive cases of COVID-19 have been reported taking total number of cases to 1965. Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal stated that 50 deaths have been reported while 151 people have recovered. Ministry also highlighted that 9000 contacts of Markaz Nizamuddin attendees have been traced and placed under quarantine. 

9000 Tablighi Jamaat contacts traced

In its daily media briefing, Health Ministry anunced that after Tablighi Jamaat event was uncovered it launched a massive drive and traced 9000 contacts. Out of se 9000 individuals, 1300 are foreign nationals. Ministry also informed that 400 cases related to Tablighi Jamaat event have been reported across country, adding that number of cases is expected to increase. 

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Reflecting upon case of individual who died of Coronavirus in Mumbai's Dharavi, Agarwal stated that entire area has been sealed and according to protocol, contact tracing is being done. He added that 4000 health workers are working on contact tracing in Dharavi. 

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1.5 crore PPEs ordered

Joint Health Secretary also shed light on reported short of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) which has led to resignation of doctors in Delhi. He stated that re was a short of PPEs in January but it has been tackled w as government has placed an order of 1.5 crore PPEs already.

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Agarwal said, "re was a problem regarding PPEs in January. However, problem has been resolved to an extent. I would like to bring to your attention that around 1.5 crore PPEs have been ordered. supply of PPEs has also begun. PPEs that had been supplied to us, we have provided those to states, as per number of cases reported in respective state. Similarly, for supply of N-95, we have identified a domestic manufacturer and have also placed an order for 1 crore masks." 

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