Shivraj hints at extending 21-day lockdown in MP Officer ‘refuses’ hospitalisation after testing corona positive

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday hinted at extending the 21-daylockdown imposed in the state since March 24 in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.

Mr Chouhan expressed concern over rapid growth of coronavirus positive cases particularly in Bhopal, saying that the state capital was emerging as one of hotspots of Covid-19 in the country.

“Lives of people are precious. Economy is in bad shape. But, economy can be rebuilt. We may go for extension of lockdown period if need arises. We will take the decision according to the situation”, he told reporters here.

He said experts would be roped in to put economy in the state back on the rail soon.

Several other chief ministers in the country have also favoured extension of lockdown period in view of coronavirus outbreak entering third stage in some areas.

Mr Chouhan squarely blamed ‘outsiders’ for sudden spurt in positive cases in Bhopal.

Bhopal, April 7: A senior health department official allegedly refused to get hospitalised after being tested positive for the novel coronavirus and instead stayed at the hostel of a premier bureaucrats’ training academy here, sparking allegations of certain officers “misusing” the facility for selfquarantine.

Dr Ruby Khan, the Deputy Director in the state’s Health Department, was finally admitted to a hospital on Monday after authorities at the training academy sought the help of the Bhopal district collector, according to official documents.

The academy shot off a letter to the city administration on Monday.

“She got admitted to Chirayu hospital on Monday then she sought time for packing her belongings at the academy’s guest house and within two hours (of receiving the letter) she was shifted to the hospital,” joint collector Rajesh Gupta said.