Coronavirus in Coimbatore: Collector says Covid-19 spread is severe, asks people to wear masks without fail

COIMBATORE: Coimbatore district collector K Rajamani on Saturday said the spread of Covid-19 is severe. He asked people to practise safety precautions seriously.
Starting Monday, everyone who steps out of their homes should wear a mask, he said. An individual without mask will be fined Rs 100.
Stating that public health department has screened passengers who arrived at Coimbatore International Airport in 54 flights from April 25 and real time PCR tests were also conducted on them, he said, “The results showed that 43 passengers tested positive for Covid-19. We admitted 29 passengers to ESI Hospital in Coimbatore. Rest of them were sent to their home districts for treatment.”
“Of the 29 patients, three are on ventilators. We are informed that Coimbatore residents are taking the safety measures for granted. We request the people of Coimbatore to compulsorily wear masks, failing which a fine of Rs 100 will be levied,” said Rajamani.
City municipal corporation officials so far have collected Rs 4 lakh as fine from those who failed to wear a mask. “The authorities will collect the fine from the people starting Monday. Social distancing should also be followed at markets, in buses and other public places. Strict action will be taken if people do not follow,” he said.
In order to monitor people, who returned from Chennai and other places, teams have been formed across the district. Revenue divisional officer, tahsildar, corporation assistant commissioner and police officials will monitor in corporation areas. Executive officers in town panchayat and block development officers in village panchayat are part of the monitoring team.
“Those who returned from other parts of the country should approach health department officials if they develop any kind of flu symptoms. People, who are in quarantine, should not roam in streets. If identified, they will be booked under the Epidemic Act,” Rajamani said.
He said 20,041 samples had been collected in Coimbatore. For the last two days, 986 samples were collected.