Himachal reports its first COVID-19 death
Shimla: A 69-year-old Tibetan died at Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College on Monday just hours after Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur announced a lockdown sealing all entry points, shut down of markets, business establishments, factories and pruning down of office staff.
Deputy Commissioner Kangra Rakesh Prajapati said: "Preliminary Coronavirus tests done at the Tanda Medical College have confirmed the Tibetan as being a positive case. The gentleman had returned from the US a few days ago and was admitted at a private hospital. We have sealed this erring hospital for not informing the administration. Further legal steps were being taken for defying the guidelines and norms," he said.
This was the first death case in Himachal Pradesh after the Corona outbreak. Earlier two positive cases where a 63-year-old woman and a 32-year-old youth were confirmed to be careers of COVID-19 by Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College, Tanda (Kangra).They had returned from Singapore and Dubai.
Earlier in the day the state Assembly, which ended its ongoing session abruptly in view of COVID 19 threat as it hurriedly passed the state budget for year 2020-21.
Chief Minister announced in the House that it has been decided to impose a complete lockdown in the state which will remain in force till further orders with total a clamp down of prohibitory orders on public and transport facilities, including railway and airports.
On Sunday the government had clamped lockdown orders in Kangra district, which is the state's biggest district bordering Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir.
The government also closed down all government offices till March 26.
Himachal Pradesh had already banned the entry of tourists including foreigners. Those staying here were also asked to leave.
All entry points of the state have been sealed completely and the police have been directed not to allow outsiders to enter barring those engaged in emergency services.
"We will not allow anyone to enter the state or leave till further orders relating to the lockdown of the state's boundaries," Thakur said.
The order comes in the wake of the curfew imposed by Punjab and a lockdown in Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi and Uttrakhand
"Protecting every human life is our utmost priority right now. I want to assure all residents that an adequate supply of ration, medicines, and other essential commodities has been ensured," the Chief minister told the state Assembly earlier after the leader of Opposition Mukesh Agnihotri shared his concerns over the spread of novel Coronavirus.
Additional Chief Secretary (Health) R D Dhiman said all interstate movement of public and private vehicles will not be permitted. He ordered the closure of all shops, commercial establishments, factories and godowns except those providing essential supplies and services such as groceries, vegetables, hospitals, chemists, petrol pumps, soap manufacturers, e-commerce and other units providing essential commodities.
"The government has asked people to stay at home and venture out only for basic purposes. Those who have returned from abroad in the last two weeks have been asked to observe a strict home quarantine," said Dhiman.
Opposition leader Mukesh Agnihotri while supporting the lockdown, has requested the state to announce a financial package to deal with the crisis, especially monetary assistance to daily-wage labourers and other severely-affected sections.
