The Madhya Pradesh Ayushman Bharat Yojana CEO and Managing Director for procuring drugs and equipment for public healthcare institutions in the State tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, said sources at the Health Department.
An official, requesting anonymity, confirmed to The Hindu the IAS officer had contracted the illness which had left eight dead in the State already. His sample tested positive for the second time on Friday, confirmed district officials.
“Many health officials have gone into home quarantine, but given the urgency to be on the field it’s business as usual for most of us and we are attending office,” he said, adding that the patient’s office was being sanitised.
He clarified that procurement and supply of drugs and equipment would not be affected as the Health Commissioner had days ago already begun overseeing the process in view of the virus outbreak.
Meanwhile, ten persons from Morena tested positive for the virus on Friday, a day after a couple were found positive there, according to the Health Department.
"According to preliminary information, the new cases belong to the same family, and no new area has been affected. They don't have symptoms," said Dr. Govil.
More cases in Indore
Indore reported 23 new cases, and Ujjain and Chhindwara reported one each on Friday. The condition of one patient remained serious, according to the State Health bulletin.
Seven residents of Indore tested positive for the illness on Thursday night, according to the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, Indore. So far, 154 cases have been reported in Madhya Praesh. While none have a travel history, all have had confirmed contact with an infected person before. The two women and five men are aged between 21 and 49.
So far, Morena has reported 12 cases, Bhopal nine, Jabalpur eight, Ujjain seven, Shivpuri and Gwalior two each and Khargone and Chhindwara one each. Five residents of Indore have succumbed to the illness, besides two of Ujjain and one of Khargone.
To seek assistance, call the State control room at 181 or 0755-2527133.
