Maharashtra to stamp those under home quarantine

Mumbai: In an unprecedented move, the Maharashtra State Government — where maximum Coronavirus cases have been reported — on Monday said it would “stamp” all those who have been sent to home quarantine amid scare over the pandemic.

Left hand of those under home quarantine will be stamped to identify them easily, said Health Minister Rajesh Tope. The decision, taken at a meeting of top officials chaired by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, has been described as a precautionary measure after 39 cases of COVID-19 were detected in the State. 

Late on Monday evening, Greater Mumbai’s Municipal Commissioner Pravin Pardeshi issued an order to all officials concerned at hospitals and the airport, asking them to ‘stamp’ behind the left palm of those under home quarantine, dates of isolation, with ink that would last for 14 days.

Third death in India

A 64-year-old man, who had contracted coronavirus infection, died in Mumbai hospital this morning. This is the third death in the country linked to COVID-19. The other two deaths were at Kalaburagi in Karnataka and in New Delhi.

This post was published on March 17, 2020 7:12 pm