Coronavirus: Nearly 9,000 People At COVID-19 Risk After Tablighi Jamaat Congregation In Delhi

Nearly 9,000 people including 7,600 Indians and 1,300 foreigners, with links to 'Tablighi Jamaat', may have been exposed to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). According to a NDTV report quoting government sources, these people have been identified in relation with a religious congregation organised by the Islamic missionary group in Delhi last month. It is to be noted that the event held by Tablighi Jamaat in the Nizamuddin West area has emerged as the hotspot for the coronavirus pandemic in India. The NDTV report, however, added that the number may increase as more Jamaat members are identified by the government agencies.

According to data collected by the Home Ministry till April 1, as many as 1,306 members of Tablighi Jamaat were identified by the officials of 23 states and 4 union territories (UTs) since the Delhi's Nizamuddin West area was identified as a hotspot of coronavirus pandemic. Of all, 1,051 have been quarantined. Whereas 21 have tested positive for COVID-19 and two have lost their lives. Authorities further added that they have identified 7,688 local workers of the Tablighi Jamaat and their contacts who need to be quarantined.

"The contact tracing is still going on but as on April 1, we have managed to identify most of the foreign and domestic workers. But it's a work in progress," NDTV quoted a senior official in the Prime Minister's Office as saying.

According to data of the Home Ministry, as many as 400 people linked to Tablighi Jamaat have tested positive for COVID-19 across the country. As many as 190 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Tami Nadu. On the other hand, Andhra Pradesh has registered 71, followed by 53 in Delhi, 28 in Telangana, 13 in Assam, 12 in Maharashtra, 10 in Andamans, 6 in Jammu and Kashmir, and two each in Puduchhery and Gujarat.

It is to be noted that India saw the biggest single-day rise in the number of COVID-19 cases with more than 400 new cases being confirmed on Wednesday. According to the data released by the Union Health Ministry, the total number of novel coronavirus cases in India climbed to 1,834 in the country, while the death toll rose to 41. The number of active COVID-19 cases stands at 1,649, while 143 people were either cured or discharged and one had migrated.

PM Modi had on Tuesday last week announced a complete 21-day lockdown in the country to stop further spread of coronavirus outbreak. After this, all the domestic and international flights services were suspended. Also, the Indian Railways suspended the passenger trains till April 14, 2020.

Also Read: Coronavirus Outbreak LIVE Updates: India Sees Biggest Single-Day Rise; World Braces For Millionth Case LIVE

It is worth mentioning here that the novel coronavirus, which originated in China, has claimed thousands of lives across the world. Over 9 lakh people have been infected with the coronavirus across the globe, with the global death toll rising to 45,719. With no known cure so far for the coronavirus, the deadly disease has become a major issue for the entire world.

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