Telangana health minister asks all Tablighi Jamaat contacts to get tested
The minister orders all Markaz attendees to remain at home till April 21 even if they have tested negative
Hyderabad: The government on Thursday appealed again to people who had direct or indirect contact with Tablighi Jamaat’s Markaz visitors, to immediately go to the nearest government hospital or call 104 to get tested for Covid-19 disease.
“Around 650 of the 700-odd Covid-19 positive cases in Telangana state till Thursday are from the group of people who are Markaz attendees or their contacts. They know who they are. We appeal to them to come forward for testing. This is for their safety and that of their families,” health minister Etala Rajendar told a news conference.
“If you have been in either direct or indirect contact with Markaz attendees, or their immediate contacts, then please come forward. The quicker we get all of you tested, the faster we can control the spread of the coronavirus,” Rajendar said.
The disease burden from this set of patients so far has been large and just one member who attended the Markaz ended up infecting 22 people in his family, including children, in Talabkatta. Six of the returnees ended up infecting 81 others, Rajendar claimed.
“Despite such being the case, some people are not coming forward. This is not good. Be honest and do not be irresponsible. It will be good if you come forward on your own before our officials, after contact tracing, visit you and take you for testing. Just a single person can end up infecting 100 persons or more. Please cooperate,” the minister said.
He said that every Markaz attendee, who has been identified and tested, even if the results were in the negative, must remain in home quarantine till April 21. Their contacts must do the same till April 28 or as advised by doctors.
The minister added that every need of those who come forward for testing, or are placed in quarantine, or test positive, will be met.
“The government has also issued orders to improve housekeeping at all its hospitals and repair all bathrooms and toilets. This is being done on a war-footing,” he added.
He urged individuals who have tested positive and been in hospital, to maintain restraint and not move about. “Our doctors met with them and explained that just because they are asymptomatic does not mean they are not infected. We are providing all they need, including good food. Everyone should cooperate,” he said.