MP: 26k in home quarantine in Morena after 12 COVID-19 cases

A locality with 26,000 people in 3,000 homes in Madhya Pradesh's Morena district has been sealed and people ordered home quarantine after a couple there tested positive for novel coronavirus a day ago, followed on Friday by 10 more who had been in contact with them, an official said.

People in the locality, comprising Ward number 47 in Prem Nagar and surrounding areas, had attended a function organised by the couple on March 20, Sub Divisional Magistrate RS Bakna said.

"A man had returned from Dubai on March 17. He and his wife, both of whom later tested positive, organised a function on March 20. As a precautionary measure, around 26000 people living in 3000 houses have been ordered home quarantine for 14 days," the SDM said.

He said samples of 22 people living close to the couple's residence have been sent for coronavirus testing.

"Morena Resident Medical Officer (BMO) Dr Padmesh Upadhyay has been tasked to keep a watch over the cordoned off area," he said.