More than 700 workers of a Noida-based private firm have been placed under quarantine after an employee tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday. According to officials, the 46-year-old patient had a travel history to European countries and began showing symptoms after returning to India. “The patient had travelled to Italy and then Switzerland. When he returned to India, he began showing signs of lethargy. The person approached two-three hospitals for a routine check-up and nothing was diagnosed. Then it was suggested to him that a test for coronavirus should also be done, which turned out to be positive. We are observing all those who have come into contact with him,” said Dr Anurag Bhargava, Chief Medical Officer, Gautam Budh Nagar. On Friday, his 68-year-old mother, who had tested positive for the virus, died due to comorbidity (diabetes and hypertension) at RML Hospital. Also read | Delhi: One more case as 69-year-old mother of fifth victim tests positive, taken to RML According to officials, the patient hails from Delhi and works in a leather factory in Noida’s Phase 2. As many as 707 factory employees who came into contact with him are under observation. A team of medical officials are in touch with the employees through phone and WhatsApp to track any symptoms. While symptoms take 4-14 days to appear, employees have been kept under quarantine for the next 28 days as a precautionary measure. In the event a factory worker develops fever or a symptom pertaining to the virus, officials said they will be tested. During this period, employees have been advised not to go out and to get essential items like groceries delivered home. They can only interact with someone at a minimum distance of two-three metres, said medical officials. Fumigation of the factory will take place at 12 pm on Saturday. According to doctors, the patient developed lethargy 18 days after returning from Switzerland. Prior to this, he had travelled to Italy. The employee travelled from Delhi to Noida for work via public and private transport. Earlier, a tour guide hailing from Noida had tested positive for coronavirus after he came in contact with tourists. The Gautam Budh Nagar administration Thursday held an outbreak committee meeting with health department officials to discuss measures to prevent the disease from spreading. Till 6 pm on Thursday, 11 patients in UP had been tested positive for coronavirus while samples of 73 are awaited. According to the Uttar Pradesh health department, 1,093 quarantine beds are available across the state.
