A Paytm employee working at its Gurugram office has tested positive for Coronavirus after travelling to Italy
An employee working at the Gurugram office of Paytm, one of India’s leading e-commerce payment system and financial technology company, has been tested positive for novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Wednesday, March 4, 2020.
With this, the total number of infected people in India has increased to 29. The Paytm employee had recently returned from a vacation in Italy. He is being treated at Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi. As a precautionary measure, Paytm has ordered closure of its offices in Noida and Gurugram for 2 days so that the offices can be sanitized. The employees have been asked to work from home.
A Paytm Spokesperson said in a media statement, “One of our colleagues based out of Gurgaon office who recently returned from Italy post a vacation has sadly been tested positive for Coronavirus. He is receiving appropriate treatment and we are extending complete support to his family.”
He further added “As a precautionary measure, we have suggested his team members to get health tests done immediately. We have also advised all our colleagues to work from home for a couple of days while we get our offices sanitized. However, there will not be any impact on our daily operations and Paytm services will continue as usual.”
Besides, 15 tourists of a 21-member Italian delegation have been tested positive for COVID-19. They have been sent to Indo-Tibetan Border Police’s (ITBP) quarantine facility in Chhawla, Delhi. Also, 6 family members of a Delhi-based man have tested positive for the deadly COVID-19. They are being quarantined at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi.
Due to the outbreak, the Prime Minister of India – Narendra Modi has called off his Holi celebrations.
Talking it to twitter, Modi tweeted, “Experts across the world have advised to reduce mass gatherings to avoid the spread of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Hence, this year I have decided not to participate in any Holi Milan programme.”
Experts across the world have advised to reduce mass gatherings to avoid the spread of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Hence, this year I have decided not to participate in any Holi Milan programme.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 4, 2020
Talking about Government’s for tackling Coronavirus, he tweeted, “Had an extensive review regarding preparedness on the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Different ministries & states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention.”
Had an extensive review regarding preparedness on the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Different ministries & states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2020
Prior to this, he also urged the people to not to panic with a tweet, “There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection.”
There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection. pic.twitter.com/sRRPQlMdtr
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 3, 2020
The Government has also announced to start universal screening of all the passengers coming to India from abroad. As of now, more than 6,00,000 people have been examined at the airports to prevent the spread of the outbreak. Additionally, 1 million people coming through the India’s open borders with Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar have also been screened.
The Minister of Health and Family Welfare, India – Harsh Vardhan has announced setting-up of additional labs in a phase-wise manner, when confirmation test can be performed. There will be 15 labs in Phase-I and 19 labs in Phase-II.
Announcing a helpline number for sharing information on COVID-19, Harsh Vardhan tweeted, “Help Us To Help You. कृपया ध्यान से पढ़ें #COVID19 से सम्बंधित सभी के लिए बुनियादी सुरक्षा के उपाय इनका पालन करें व व्यापक जागरूकता के लिए इस जानकारी को साझा करें #CovidVirusUpdate पर जानकारी और सूचना, दोनों के संदर्भ में, Helpline नम्बर है 011-23978046 व email ncov2019@gmail.com.”
Separately, 9 other Italian tourists in Madhya Pradesh, suspected of being affected with the Coronavirus, have been quarantine. Also, 87 people who have returned from Iran are being closely monitored in Gujarat. The Ministry of External Affairs has said that there are 17 Indians, residing abroad, who have been infected with Coronavirus.
Globally, more than 3,284 people have died of this COVID-19 and 95,169 infected cases. Of these 3,284 deaths, 3012 have happened in China, 107 in Italy, 92 in Iran, 35 in South Korea, 11 in the United States (U.S.), 6 each in Japan and the cruise ship Diamond Princess, 4 in France, 2 each in Hong Kong, Iraq and Australia and 1 each in Spain, Thailand, Taiwan, San Marino and Azerbaijan .
