Madhya Pradesh seals 15 districts with 46 hotspots as 411 COVID-19 cases rise; 33 dead

Proceeding with Centre's 'Cluster containment strategy' Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Chouhan, on Thursday, has ordered sealing 15 districts in state where 46 hotspots have been identified. Madhya Pradesh has witnessed a sudden surge is Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases with tally currently at 411 and 33 deaths. list of sealed districts includes Jabalpur, Gwalior, Khargone etc - in addition to three major cities Bhopal, Ujjain, and Indore - which have already been sealed.

Shivraj govt seals Bhopal, Indore & Ujjain amid Covid rise; Kamal Nath questions ESMA

MP seals 15 districts with 46 hotspots

Madhya Pradesh HRC writes to state secy as 32 state health officials test COVID positive

ESMA imposed in state

On Wednesday, state government also invoked Essential Services Manment Act (ESMA) in state with immediate effect to combat COVID-19 to ensure essential supplies and services are operational during this crisis. Chouhan has slammed Markaz attendees who have been found in state and urged several ors to come forward and reveal ir travel history. move to invoke ESMA has been slammed by former CM Kamal Nath, saying 'to invoke fear of law, is beyond comprehension'.

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32 state officials test positive

In an alarming development, on Monday, 32 health officials tested positive in office building of  Madhya Pradesh Directorate of Health Services in Bhopal. While source of COVID-19 outbreak is unkwn, reports state that Principal Secretary of State Public Health and Family Welfare Department, Deputy Directors, Additional Directors, and or officers have tested positive. In total, 44 people had tested positive in Bhopal of which 29 are state health officials of Shivraj Chouhan government. state Human rights commission has written to state secretary for lapse in protocol.

'Will extend lockdown if need arises': MP CM Shivraj Chouhan puts people over ecomy

MP mulls extending lockdown

Chouhan has stated that lockdown will be extended if need arises. "Lives of people are more important, ecomy can be built again but if people die, how will we bring m back? That is why, if need arises we will extend lockdown, a decision will be taken based on situation," chief minister said.