Coronavirus: Four more in Chandigarh test positive; total cases stand at 5

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Chandigarh, March 20: Four more people tested positive for coronavirus in Chandigarh on Friday, taking the total cases in the city to five and prompting authorities to ban a gathering of more than 50 people.

After a 23-year-old student from Sector 21 who recently returned from the UK tested positive, authorities confirmed that three more people associated with her—mother, brother, and a domestic help—also had the disease. They were admitted to GMCH-32. 

The woman’s father, however, tested negative, a press release from the administration said.

A woman who recently returned from the UK and was earlier admitted to PGIMER also tested positive.

Meanwhile, UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore reviewed preparedness, including banning a gathering of more than 50 until March 31. He also asked the public to provide information about any person who may have returned from abroad in the past 15 days. Such information can be provided on 112.

“To prevent and control the spread of COVID 19, in public interest, all social/ cultural, sports, political, religious, academic and family mass gathering of 50 or more people are banned till 31st march, 2020 with immediate effect. Earlier it was restricted to 100 persons. Senior citizens and children to stay indoor,” the press release quoted the UT Administrator as saying. 

Some 42 people have been home quarantined until now as a result of the coronavirus cases in the city.

All five are stable, authorities said.

The press release said suspected cases were first being quarantined in their own houses.

“As a precautionary measure, stickers will be pasted outside these houses to make public aware not to visit the said premises, as the same is under quarantine,” the release said.