Pune Woman Tests Positive For Coronavirus, Maharashtra Tally Goes Up To 42

A 28-year-old woman was tested positive for coronavirus in Pune that brought up the Maharashtra tally to 42. The woman, with a travel history to France and the Netherlands, returned to India on March 15. Two days later, she was admitted to a local hospital, where she was tested positive for COVID-19. This is the 18th case of coronavirus in Pune. The city administration has already imposed Section 144 of the CrPC to dissuade people from gathering at one place. On Tuesday, most of the shops and stores were shuttered down in Pune due to coronavirus scare. Maharashtra has recorded the highest number of COVID-19 cases across India. (Coronavirus LIVE Updates)

In a slew of measure, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced that all government offices across the state will function on 50 per cent strength. Though there were speculations regarding the Mumbai local trains, Thackeray said that so far no decision has been taken and the public transport will continue to function like before. Urging people to avoid non-essential travel, Thackeray said that in case the situation worsens, the unprecedented measure will be imposed in the state. 

The Maharashtra government has also started to stamp those individuals, who have a travel history and have been told to go under home-quarantine. Three persons infected with the virus have died so far. A 64-year-old man from Mumbai with a travel history to Dubai who succumbed on Tuesday. While a 76-year-old man from Kalaburagi who returned from Saudi Arabia died last Tuesday, a 68-year-old woman in Delhi who had tested positive for coronavirus passed away at the Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital on Friday night.

The number of novel coronavirus cases in the country rose to 147 on Wednesday, with 10 fresh cases reported from various parts of the country, according to the Health Ministry. The cases include 25 foreign nationals and the three persons who died in Delhi, Karnataka and Maharashtra. Over 5,700 people, who had come in contact with these positive cases, are under rigorous surveillance, the Ministry said. Delhi has so far reported ten positive cases which includes one foreigner while Uttar Pradesh has recorded 16 cases, including one foreigner.

(With agency inputs)