Arvind Kejriwal cites case of 26 people of a family testing COVID-19 positive to warn lockdown violators

New Delhi | Jagran News Desk: Warning people violating social media norms and lockdown restrictions, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday cited example of an area in the national capital where 26 people of a family have tested positive for COVID-19. 

Kejriwal appealed to people living in containment areas to follow rules and don't step out of their homes. "People have been seen on streets in some containment areas which are sealed by authorities to contain the COVID-19 spread.

"It is unfortunate that people in some containment areas step out of their houses and meet neighbours," he said.

According to him, 26 members of one family tested positive for coronavirus in an area in Jahangir Puri on Friday, which has been declared as containment area.

"I have already told you (people) that it depends on you whether you will get infected by COVID-19 or not. I request you with folded hands to not step out of your houses in containment zones and strictly follow rules enforced by authorities," the CM said.

In wake of the surging coronavirus cases in the national capital, the Delhi government on Saturday declared eight more areas as containment zones, taking the total number of coronavirus sealed hotspots in the city-state to 76.  

As per a government notification, the new hotspots include areas are A Block, Khizrabad, New Friends Colony; Israel Camp, Rang Puri Pahari; Budh Nagar, Inderpuri; Oberoi Apartment; G-1 2nd Floor Mansarovar Garden; E-51 and E-21 street 8, Shastri Park; T-606 street-18 Gautam Puri; A-97,98,99 near Buland Masjid, Shastri Park.

Kejriwal said that there had been a slight decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases in the national capital in the last three days and hoped that it would reduce further in the coming days.

The chief minister also announced the extension of his government's Rs 1 crore ex-gratia scheme under which families of healthcare personnel currently get the amount if they loss lives while dealing with coronavirus cases.

The government has decided that other government employees who are on COVID-19 related duties such as police personnel, civil defence, principals and teachers will come under the scheme, he said.

He also said that the government has provided ration to 31 lakh people who didn't have ration cards.

On Friday, the total number of novel coronavirus cases in Delhi rose to 1,707, with 67 fresh cases and four deaths being reported in a day.