Twenty-six persons, working in the packaging unit of pharma giant Cadila Pharmaceuticals, have been taken to Ahmedabad's Sola civil hospital after they tested positive for COVID-19.
Ahmedabad district development officer Arun Mahesh Babu said that out of the 30 persons tested, 21 turned positive and have been sent to the hospital. However, the company later said 26 of their employees have tested positive.
Babu said as many as 95 employees of the company have been quarantined.
According to sources, the samples of the employees were tested during the contact tracing of a previously reported case. They added that all the 26 persons, who tested positive on Thursday, were staying in Ahmedabad. The plant is located more than 25 away from the city.
The heritage city has accounted for more than 80 per cent cases of Gujarat.
Babu said that the authorities have asked the company to initiate the process of sanitization.
The six-decade-old Cadila Pharmaceuticals is one of the largest private pharmaceutical companies in the country.
The company said in a statement late on Thursday evening that in spite of taking all the precautions and screenings as per the government guidelines, unfortunately, 26 employees tested positive.
It said that the company has voluntarily shut the plant and emphasized that it is committed towards the safety of those associated with it.
Pharmaceutical companies in Gujarat have been working even during the times of lockdown by taking safety precautions and maintaining social distancing.
