Hyderabad: Twelve people were chased on Sunday night by officials of the district medical and health department, of whom four had returned from Italy, one from Thailand, two from the Middle East and five others from Singapore, who were contacted and checked for symptoms.
According to sources, there was a group of four people, who had to leave for Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh for darshan but were asked to stay at home for 14 days.
A senior health official on condition of anonymity explained, “This family group of four are close to a powerful political family in the state, and they had to be told to not go. This was quite a task, as orders came from senior officials from the state. Their travel history was to destinations where the coronavirus cases are very high. It was a risky proposition.”
These members were contacted on Sunday night and asked about their symptoms. They had no symptoms and replied that they were all fine. They had been cleared at the airport level screening too. But officials insisted that they have to self-isolate and stay at home for next 14 days.
The epidemiology wing of the government has got officials, who will call them night and day, and insist that they do not move out of their homes.
A senior official said, “since people are aware of the impact of coronavirus, we have so far not faced any resistance. There is cooperation from people. We have told them to get in touch with us if they develop cough and cold in the next few days.”
