As many as 53 journalists in Mumbai tested positive for COVID19. This revelation was done by BMC and it also said that all journalist testing positive have been put under isolation. They also shared that samples of 171 journalists that have been reporting about the outbreak from the field and included photographers, Video Journalists and Reporters had been collected. Most of the positive journalists were asymptomatic. Even a journalist from Mumbai Live is among the ones tested positive.
He along with the 52 others are being taken to Fern Hotel in Goregaon to be quarantined. The tests were conducted on April 15 and the results for the same came out today, following which BMC informed them to self-isolate themselves till they are able to shift them to a quarantine facility or a hospital.
There have been news reports regarding front line workers testing positive in Mumbai. There have been many policemen, doctors and nurses that have tested positive for COVID-19 over the last few days.
The health ministry too is taking this to be a very unfortunate development. Lav Agarwal, health ministry joint secretary in his daily briefing said, "Journalists testing positive for COVID-19 is very unfortunate news. When you (journalists) attend your call of duty, kindly take the required precautions, follow the norms of social distancing and wear face masks."
On the positive note, Lav Agarwal also mentioned that the doubling rate for India has been consistently improving. He said, "India's doubling rate before the lockdown was 3.4 days, it has now improved to 7.5 days. As per data on 19 April, in 18 states, the rate is better than the national average."
As of Monday, as many as 835 new cases of COVID-19 had been detected in the state in the last 36 hours. Maharashtra has been termed as the hotspot of the coronavirus pandemic with 4,422 cases being recorded as of April 20, 7:20 pm. The numbers were announced by Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray while sharing his address to the state.
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