The Tamil Nadu government has ordered shut Thoothukudi’s largest multi-speciality facility, AVM Hospital, after two of its lab technicians tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19).

Tamil television channel Polimer News reported that the pandemic virus has been traced to a resident of Ramasamy Puram in the city, who had returned from the Tablighi Jamaat Aalami Markaz Nizamuddin or Banglewali Masjid congregations held in Delhi last month.

The person who had returned from the Nizamuddin events had come in contact with people at a vegetable outlet in Bolton Puram. From there, a 60-year-old woman had contracted Covid-19.

In turn, the woman’s sons and daughters-in-law got infected with the pandemic virus. One of the daughters-in-law works as a lab technician at the hospital.

A woman in the neighbourhood also got infected with Coronavirus after she came in touch with the lab technician. The other lab technician, who resides in a suburban area, is also believed to have contracted the infection from his colleague.

Following this, the hospital has been shut by the authorities.

Thoothukudi officials raised an alarm on Thursday (9 March) after five persons tested positive for the pandemic virus. The source of infection for all is the Tabligh Jamaat congregations, particularly from two persons who had returned from there.

One more person from Ayyanaruthu near Kayathar in the district has also tested positive for coronavirus after returning from the Banglewali Masjid congregations. The person’s family members have also tested positive for Covid-19.

A mob in Ayyanaruthu had attacked health officials when they went there to take the grandchild of the coronavirus positive person for testing.

In Tamil Nadu, 834 persons have tested positive for coronavirus with 90 per cent of the pandemic being traced to the Nizamuddin events.

Of the 1,480 persons who returned from the Nizamuddin congregations and were screened, 584 tested positive for the pandemic. In addition, 188 persons who had come in contact with them have also tested positive for Covid-19.

Ramasamy Puram

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