2 from Tripura Test Positive for COVID-19 in Rajasthan's Bikaner

Agartala, April 4, 2020:

Two hailing from the State of Tripura have tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Rajasthan's Bikaner, officials said. They both are said to have links to the religious congregation in Nizamuddin South, New Delhi. This revelation has been made on the heels of detection of several positive cases virus in Assam (24), Manipur (1), and Arunchal Pradesh (1) recently.

According to our reports, the duo are part of an 11-member Tablighi group that went to Bikaner straightway after participating in the central Jamaat at Delhi.

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Meanwhile, 36 families from Tripura have been identified who had visited the spot or have a travel history to Delhi while the Jamaat was being held. All of the families belong to Islamic cleric tested negative, the sources added. “None of the 72 persons show any symptoms but we have not released them yet . The second test will be conducted soon to be double sure about their status”, Debbarma added.

Speaking to Inside Northeast, Disease Surveillance officer Dr Deep Debbarma said, "No less than 11 persons hailing from Tripura partook in the Jamaat of Nizamuddin. Despite returning to Tripura they choose to go Rajasthan for their religious activities. Two persons among them have tested positive for the virus."

Reportedly, the group went to Delhi on March 5. They stayed at the Jamaat till March 8 and boarded a train to Bikaner later in the evening on the same date. They had been identified by the Rajasthan government as Jamaat attendees 4-5 days ago, and the report reached the Tripura officials yesterday.

As of now, 9,824 people had been quarantined in Tripura. Among them 3,204 persons completed the 14-days period. In the quarantine centers not less than 134 people were in institutional quarantine. The people who quarantines in their houses stands at 6,486.

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It is worth mentioning that Assam has seen a spike in COVID-19 cases in recent times. Assam has reported another COVID-19 positive case from North Lakhimpur, taking the total number to 25.

Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that this case was also linked to the Tablighi Jamaat congregation at Nizamuddin Markaz.

"Alert ~ One more #Covid_19 positive case from North Lakhimpur District has been confirmed, taking the total number in Assam to 25. This patient is also related to #NizamuddinMarkaz event in Delhi. Update at 11.16 am/ April 4," tweeted Sarma.

On March 31, the first case was reported in Assam. The 52-year-old had returned to Assam from New Delhi on March 10, and started exhibiting symptoms on March 29. He is being treated at the Silchar Medical College.

In Manipur, a man who had recently attended the Tablighi Jamaat congregation in New Delhi’s Nizamuddin has also tested positive for the contagion. This announcement was made by the Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, who made the announcement via Twitter.

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