Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday decided to move into a four-day self-isolation after his officer-on-special-duty (OSD) and personal security officer (PSO) tested positive for COVID-19. The chief minister himself has tested negative for the infection as yet.
Baghel took to Twitter to inform of his decision. “My OSD and PSO have tested Corona positive. My report is negative as of now, but as a measure of precaution, I will remain in isolation for four days. This is a time of crisis. Everyone, please take due precautions,” the CM tweeted.
मेरे ओएसडी और पीएसओ कोरोना पॉज़िटिव पाए गए हैं।
— Bhupesh Baghel (@bhupeshbaghel) August 30, 2020
मेरी रिपोर्ट इस समय निगेटिव है लेकिन मैं एहतियातन अगले चार दिन आइसोलेशन में रहूंगा।
संकट का समय है कृपया सभी लोग सावधानी बरतते रहें।
COVID-19 cases and deaths have shown a major spurt in the tribal state during the past one month. From July 31 to August 29, the state has reported as many as 19,615 positive cases—a spike of 223 per cent. In this duration, 208 out of the total 262 deaths were reported—a big spike of 385 per cent.
As on July 30, the state had only 8,775 positive cases and 54 deaths, according to the Chhattisgarh health department data. But with economic activities opening up and massive influx of migrants returning from other states, the state has shown a sudden rise in cases and fatalities.
As on August 29, the state has 28,390 positive cases and the death toll is at 262. On the day, eight deaths were reported, which is the highest toll in a single day till now. Of the total, 10, 078 cases and 139 deaths have been reported from capital Raipur alone.
The number of active cases in the state stands at 12,313, with 15,818 people recovering.
Free transport for NEET/JEE candidates
Meanwhile, in a step that is expected to bring relief to the candidates of National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), the Chhattisgarh government has decided to provide free transport facilities to them from their hometown to exam centres and back.
Chief Minister Baghel has directed district collectors to make the arrangements for the candidates. The candidates will be allowed to avail of the free facilities by showing their exam admit cards and one guardian of the candidate will also be allowed to travel along, the CM office said.
In case of a small number of candidates from a particular place, the district administrations have been asked to make jeeps or mini vans available for the transport. The collectors have been asked to widely publicise the contact details of the nodal officers for this purpose so that the candidates could register themselves for the free facility.
The JEE is to be held between September 1 and 6 and the NEET will be held on September 13.
