Over fifty-six people have been quarantined after a COVID-19 case surfaced in Gutlibagh, Ganderbal, central Kashmir, on Thursday. The person who was tested positive for the virus had escaped and was later traced in Mamar area of Kangan by the efforts of police and civil administration.
Reports said that the man who was declared positive was leading prayers in a mosque and he had spent twenty-two days in hiding in the house of a relative.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate Kangan, Hakim Tanvir, said that a man from Gutlibagh Ganderbal was in quarantine for fourteen days and he was tested negative.
“The re-confirmation test of this man was found positive, but unfortunately he escaped from the quarantine centre and hid himself in Mamar Kanagan area where he spent 22 days,” he said.
Hakim Tanvir added that during the days of hiding, this man led prayers and imparted religious education to little children.
“We traced him from the Mamar area soon after he was tested positive. Shortly after the development, we quarantined 22 persons who have come into his contact and besides these 22 persons, 34 other persons including his relatives were home quarantined,” he said.
SDM said that Gutlibagh area has already been declared red zone. “We are holding a meeting to decide whether Mamar area will be designated as red zone or not,” he said admitting that this positive patient showed negligence and put the lives of others at risk.
“He will certainly face action under law,” Hakim Tanvir told KNT.
