Till 12 PM on March 17, the state has 39 cases of coronavirus, including one death.
As Maharashtra reported its first death due to coronavirus, the state government on Monday announced that it will 'stamp' all those people who have been sent to home quarantine to identify them easily.
Talking to media, state Health Minister Rajesh Tope said that the government has decided to stamp the left hand of those under home quarantine in order to identify them easily. Tope added that a stamp with indelible ink will be imprinted on the left hand indicating "that person/patient is under compulsory home quarantine" till March 31. "This will help other people identify them if they break home quarantine and mix among the public during their home isolation period," he said.
A meeting was chaired by Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and attended by several senior health officers where the decision was taken. The Maha Vikas Aghadi government said that the step is a precautionary measure after 39 cases of coronavirus were detected in the state.
"It is not a crime if somebody is infected by COVID-19. They must be given proper medical treatment and psychological support. The Epidemic Diseases Act has been invoked in the interest of the people and the district administration must create awareness on it," Thackeray said.
Notably, Maharashtra has the highest number of confirmed cases reported. Till 12 PM on March 17, the state has 39 cases of coronavirus, including one death.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officers have been ordered by the government to visit housing societies for a drive against COVID-19 outbreak in the city. An advisory was issued by the government on Monday, asking corporates to allow their employees to work from home.
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had earlier announced that schools, colleges, and shopping malls in the state will remain closed till March 31.
The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in India climbed to 131. The number includes 112 Indian nationals. Out of these, nine people have been cured and two have died.
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 "COVID-19: Maha govt to 'stamp' those sent to home quarantine")
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