Indore reports two deaths on Thursday; toll in state up to 8, positive cases rise to 98

A 65-year-old woman and 54-year-old man succumbed in two different hospitals

Shivraj-Chouhan-inspecting-hospital-Bhopal-Madhya-Pradesh-PTI Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviews the facilities which will be granted to coronavirus-affected patients, during a nationwide lockdown, at Advanced Institute Of Medical Sciences in Bhopal, Saturday, March 28, 2020 | PTI

With two more deaths reported in the forenoon of Thursday in hotspot Indore, the death toll due to COVID-19 infection in the state has risen to eight. Of these, five deaths have been reported from Indore, two from Ujjain and one from Khargone district.

Early on Thursday morning, a 65-year-old woman from Khajrana locality succumbed at the MRTB Hospital in Indore. The woman had been admitted to the hospital on March 29 with complaints of cold, cough and respiratory trouble, officials said. Sources said that she did not have any contact history with COVID-19 infected persons.

Later, a 54-year-old man from Moti Tabela area died at MY Hospital. He too had been admitted to the hospital on March 29 and is reported to have no travel or contact history, sources said.

Meanwhile, the health bulletin issued late on Wednesday night reported 12 more positive patients from Indore, taking the positive tally in the district to 75. The cases in the state have risen to 98 with eight cases in Jabalpur, six in Ujjain, four in Bhopal, two each in Gwalior and Shivpuri and one in Khargone.

Indore has been put under strict lockdown following a surge in cases and in capital Bhopal too, stringent measures are being taken to ensure that lockdown is maintained. The capital city has been divided into eight zones and unnecessary movement from one zone to the other restricted.

Authorities are planning to start door to door services of plumbing, electrician and even barbers, sources said, apart from ensuring essentials like groceries, vegetables, fruits, milk and medicine are made available.

Meanwhile, Indore police have arrested seven persons involved in stone-pelting and assault on staff at Tatpatti Bakhal locality. Ten persons have been identified on the basis of video footage and eyewitness accounts; others involved will be arrested soon, the police have said. District Collector Manish Singh said strict legal action will be taken against the accused and long jail term will be ensured for them. Medical teams will be provided with adequate police escort henceforth.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is constantly monitoring the situation state-wide. During a meeting on Wednesday, the CM ordered the removal of health commissioner Prateek Hajela for dereliction in work related to COVID-19. Faiz Ahmed Kidwai has been appointed as the new commissioner of health.

📣 The Week is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TheWeekmagazine) and stay updated with the latest headlines