4 employees of jewellery showroom in Kovai test positive for coronavirus

Coimbatore

Health Department workers collected swab samples from the 30 people who had arrived and had also traced others who had come in contact with them to collect samples.

“Swab samples were taken from 200 people on Saturday and another 50 persons on Sunday including those who worked in the showroom in Coimbatore. Results of the first batch showed four people had contracted the virus, while results of other staff are awaited. We would know the exact number of infected employees only after all test results arrive,” said Coimbatore North Tahsildar Mahesh Kumar.

The remaining staff have been quarantined in a lodge near the showroom in Coimbatore. Sources said the jewellery showroom had obtained permission to move staff only within Chennai, but had illegally transported them to Coimbatore.

The Tahsildar said the showroom would remain sealed for an indefinite period of time.

A case has been registered by Kattoor police against the showroom manager under various Sections of the IPC including 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), 270 (malignant act) and Section 3 of the Epidemic Diseases Act.

An inquiry is under way to check how the staff went past the border check posts unchecked.