Coronavirus in rural Rajasthan: Two test positive for COVID-19; Aspur tehsil under curfew

Jaipur: The fear of coronavirus entering India's villages in the near future seems to be coming true. Rajasthan has confirmed that two persons from Dungarpur district have tested positive for COVID-19 disease. A 48-year-old man and his 14-year-old son, hailing from Aspur Tehsil, have been infected with the deadly contagious virus.

Confirming about the cases, Additional Chief Secretary Rohit Kumar Singhs said the father and son duo had returned to Aspur from Indore on March 25 and were screened on March 26 after they showed symptoms of Novel Coronavirus.

Dungarpur Collector Kanaram told IANS that both the persons have been admitted to Udaipur district hospital where they have been kept in isolation wards. Taking preventive measure the administration has sent the entire tehsil into quarantine.

Sunil Kumar, Sub Divisional Officer from Aspur, said a curfew has been imposed in the area to ensure no unnecessary movement of people. The officer confirmed that essential items are being home delivered and people have been strictly advised not to venture out of their homes.

Dungarpur Chief Medical and Health Officer Mahendra Kumar Parmar confirmed to the news agency that 20 people had come in contact with the father and son.

Rajasthan has recorded 62 coronavirus cases so far. The Union Health Ministry today confirmed that technically, COVID-19 in India is still in local transmission stage, there has been no community transmission so far. 92 new cases and four deaths from COVID-19 have been reported in the last 24 hours across the country, the ministry said. Addressing the press, the Health Ministry again appealed to maintain social distancing, saying that even one person's carelessness may lead to spread of coronavirus pandemic.

Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla today assured all help to the outstation students in the Kota-Bundi area. "The children who come to Kota for coaching are members of my family. Their parents, guardians remain restless. My responsibility is that they have no problem. If they have any problem, other than movement outside, they can contact my Kota and Delhi office," Birla tweeted.