Kids pack swab test kits in unhygienic conditions in Maha's Ulhasnagar slum; probe ordered

After video of young kids of a family packing swab test sticks me its way online, Thane  Commissioner of Police took note of incident and informed that an inquiry has been set up with Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation officials. He informed that inquiry is being heed by ditional Municipal Commissioner Dr Karuna Juikar and Senior Police Inspector Ulhasnagar-2 Rajendra Kam. 

Message from Thane Commissioner of Police over viral video

Thane Commissioner of Police informed that an FIR has been registered on May 5 by Thane's FDA Drug Inspector VB Taskhedkar for violation of IPC Section 269. 270, 336, 202, 487, 488, 420, 465, 188 and Epidemic Control Act 1897 Section 3(1)."

Giving out more details of incident, Thane Commissioner of Police informed that a furr investigation is being done by API MV Choudhari for violation of Drug and Cosmetic Act 1940 and Rules 1945, Medical Devices Rule 2017. Meanwhile, DI VB Tashhedkar will furr investigate with Police for Section 18 (C), 17(B), P/U Section 27(b) (ii), 27(c), he ded. 

Maharashtra: COVID test sticks being packed in Ulhasnagar slum, video goes viral

A video of young kids of a family packing swab test sticks is doing rounds on social media. This has led to many people questioning if se swab test sticks, mainly used for COVID-19 RT-PCR tests, are sterile enough to be used. plastic sticks having cotton buds on both ends are being packed in slums of Ulhasnagar.

According to reports, Food and Drug ministration (FDA) and Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC) officials along with local police has so far raided several houses in Khemani slum. Upon investigating furr, officials learnt that women and children involved in packaging of swab sticks were not wearing face masks and hand gloves. In fact, kits were being packed in an unhygienic environment, thus putting lives of many at risk. video of incident has now gone viral in no time.

COVID-19 situation in Maharashtra

As India continues to battle against pandemic, Maharashtra so far has recorded over 48,80,542 positive cases, out of which 41,64,098 have successfully recovered and 72,662 have died. As per latest reports from MoHFW, in past 24 hours,  57,640 new cases, 57,006 fresh recoveries and 920 deaths have been reported. Currently, total number of active cases in state is 6,43,782. 

(Image: Republicworld.com, PTI)