Breaking: Mizoram Girl Tests Positive for COVID-19 in Mumbai

Aizawl, April 13, 2020:

A 26-year-old female from the state of Mizoram has tested positive for the dreaded virus in Mumbai, Maharashtra, the epicentre of the pandemic in India. Earlier, a 55-year-old pastor had tested positive for the COVID-19 and is undergoing treatment at the Zoram Medical College in the State.

Note: The total number of cases in Mumbai stands at 1,549 including 100 deaths.

Talking to Inside Northeast, the Chief Secretary of Mizoram Lalnunmawia Chuaungo informed, "A female who has been in Mumbai since February has been detected as corona positive in Mumbai, the capital city of Maharashtra. The isolation process has just begun and she is being treated at a hospital in Mumbai."

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Meanwhile, Mizoram in a bid to contain the spread of the coronavirus, has extended the lockdown till April 30. However, area-wise moderation will be enforced for the remainder of the lockdown that was initially called by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an address to the nation.

The decision to extend the lockdown was taken at a meeting chaired by the state’s Chief Minister Zoramthanga earlier today. Zoramthanga held a meeting with the Council of Ministers this morning regarding the way forward during the coronavirus pandemic. The CM will hold another meeting with NGOs, political parties and officials soon.

At the end of the meeting, informing about the decision, Zoramthanga tweeted out, “Lockdown will be extended within the state of Mizoram till 30th of this month i.e April, 2020. However, area wise moderation will be enforced as per Task Forces Committee regulations!”

Mizoram Health Minister Dr R Lalthangliana had earlier said that although the Centre is yet to make a final decision, the state government is planning to extend the ongoing lockdown with new guidelines to exempt some sections.

He further added that the state is vulnerable as it shares its borders with countries and states which have recently shown a sharp spike in the number of COVID-19 related cases. Mizoram shares inter-state boundaries with Assam, Manipur and Tripura and also 722-km international border with Bangladesh and Myanmar.

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Meanwhile, Mizoram’s lone Lok Sabha member C Lalrosanga, who is currently in the national capital, was making efforts to ensure safety of 600 odd Mizo people stranded outside the state amid the lockdown.

While speaking with Inside Northeast, MP Lalrosanga said, “Mizoram Government is yet to come up with a plan in this case. It will be really bad and distressing for the ones stranded if the lockdown is extended further because they are already stressed. Most of them are staying in rented houses. They are under the pressure from their landlords to pay the rent. They don’t have the money to buy even the groceries.”

He added that some of them are not even able to venture out as they are subject to racial profiling. “They generally stay put and are worried about returning home. They’ve been contacting me for help,” he added.

The meeting of Aizawl City Local Council Association, All Mizoram Village Council Association and Mizoram NGO Coordination Committee, held under the leadership of Chief Secretary Lalnunmawia Chuaungo,  with the initiative of Chief Minister Zoramthanga said that people, who are stranded in different parts of the state due to the ongoing lockdown, will be allowed to return to their towns and villages commencing from Thursday.

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