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Nine of a family in Ulhasnagar test positive
After a 50-year-old woman from Ulhasnagar died of coronavirus last week, nine of her family members tested positive on Friday.
After a 50-year-old woman from Ulhasnagar died of coronavirus last week, nine of her family members tested positive on Friday.
The family had attended her funeral on May 9 violating the protocol. As per the civic body, the family unwrapped the body and carried out the rituals at the cremation.
After the civic body learnt about this, the high-risk contacts were tested and nine were found positive on Friday.
Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC) commissioner Sudhakar Deshmukh has lodged a complaint at the Central police station against three of the family members.
“The woman was admitted to Central hospital. It was a suspected Covid-19 case. The hospital was not ready to hand over the body for cremation initially. However the family was adamant and they gave us in writing that they would follow the protocol during the cremation. The body was properly wrapped and handed over to the family. Her test report came after her death,” said Deshmukh.
Another 70 of those who came in contact with the family have been quarantined by the civic body.
An officer from Central police station, who did not wish to be named, said, “The civic body has lodged a complaint and we are verifying it. We have not registered any case as of now.”
As per the Thane collector’s guidelines, all suspected Covid-19 deaths should be handled similar to confirmed Covid-19 cases and all protocol should be followed during cremation.
Shashikant Dayma, a social activist from Ulhasnagar, said, “The civic body should have sent their staff to the cremation to ensure protocol is followed. It should ensure the implementation of the protocol. The family did not follow protocol and more people are going to be infected in the coming day.”
UMC chief has again issued guidelines to residents of Ulhasnagar, stating protocol to be followed during the cremation of suspected and confirmed Covid-19 cases.
The total number of cases in Ulhasnagar is 92 and five Covid deaths.
