N0.35/2020-2021
Three more COVID-19 positive cases have been detected among those residing at Mumbai Mizoram House dormitory today (18th April,2020), after a cancer patient tested positive on 13th April, 2020 (Monday). The positive results came after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation instructed the Maharastra Health Department officials to take samples from those residing with the COVID-19 positive patient. Nasopharyngeal swab samples were duly taken from 20 individuals, and three results have come back positive, the Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr R Lalthangliana announced today. Of these three, two are male and one female, with two individuals being cancer patients and one being an attendant of a cancer patient.
The Mizoram H&FW Minister, on hearing the news of three more positive COVID-19 cases in Mumbai Mizoram House, immediately called his counterpart in the Maharastra Government, H&FW Minister Shri Rajesh Ankushrao Tope, appealing for immediate care and treatment of the new positive cases. The Maharastra Government immediately swung into action, facilitating transfer of the new positive cases at SevenHills Hospital in Mumbai. All three are reported to be stable and haven't shown any COVID-19 symptoms so far.
Following the detection of three more COVID-19 positive cases in Mizoram House Mumbai, all those residents who have not been tested so far will be immediately tested.
H&FW Minister, Dr R Lalthangliana stated that at this stage, it is difficult to ascertain how COVID-19 was contracted and spread among those residing at Mumbai Mizoram House. He, therefore, appealed to citizens not to pinpoint and blame the first positive case, stating that there is no proof that the first patient was the one who spread it among the others. Stating that kindness and sensitivity was the need of the hour, the H&FW Minister appealed to citizens to remain calm and refrain from posting hurtful and inflammatory posts on any social media. He also reminded citizens to respect the privacy of COVID-19 positive patients during this difficult time and refrain from disclosing their names, photos and any other details on any social media and other platforms.
It was earlier reported on 15th April, 2020 that the Mumbai Mizoram House is presently accommodating 16 cancer patients with 32 attendees, ie. 48 persons altogether. The Mumbai Municipal Corporation Health officials conducted a thorough inspection of the House on 14th April, 2020 after which nasopharyngeal swab samples were taken.
The H&FW Minister also stated that the condition of the first Mumbai Mizoram House COVID-19 positive case is stable and that she hasn't experienced fever after being admitted to hospital. She is currently being treated at the General Ward in the hospital. Her husband has tested negative and is presently staying at the Salvation Army Red Shield Hostel in Mumbai.
The H&FW Minister has given an address on the issue, to be broadcast through DDK, AIR and Cable TV Channels tonight.
