As the number of fatalities reaches 3,694 in Mumbai, the coronavirus has claimed another life. A 39-year-old ‘dabbawala’ (lunch box carrier) who hailed from Malad succumbed to COVID-19. This is first death which has been reported from the ‘dabbawala’ fraternity.
“Until now, the dabbawalas were away from the coronavirus infection. However, a 39-year-old from our fraternity has died due to COVID-19. This has come as shock to us,” Mumbai Dabbawala Association President Subhash Talekar told Mumbai Live.
The 39-year-old is survived by his parents, wife and a son. Talekar informed that he died at Nair Hospital on Wednesday evening around 6:30 PM. According to the official data, Mumbai reported nearly 38 COVID-19 deaths in one day.
The deceased was a resident of Malad area which has witnessed a huge hike in the coronavirus cases in the past few weeks. Talekar said that his wife has also been quarantine now.
“It has been four months since we (dabbawalas) have no source of income. If the earning member dies in such conditions, the burden will fall on the family members. The government should do something for the dabbawala community,” he asserted.
Due to imposition of lockdown in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the dabbawalas in the city have suffered financially as their business has been severely affected. Due to this, the dabbawalas don’t have enough money to survive.
Maharashtra has been the worst-hit state due to the coronavirus outbreak. As of June 24, the number of cases in the state has risen to 1,42,900 and the death toll has reached 6,739.
The number of COVID-19 cases in Mumbai has increased 69,528 while the death toll in the financial capital has touched 3,964. Of the 3,890 COVID-19 cases reported in Maharashtra in one day, nearly 1,118 cases have been recorded in Mumbai alone.
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