Tripura: Sepahijala DM, SP and 7 staff members test positive for COVID-19

Agartala: The Sepahijala district magistrate & collector, Chandra Kumar Jamatia, and district superintendent of police, Krishnendu Chakravertty, have been tested positive for novel coronavirus on Tuesday.

Speaking with EastMojo, Jamatia said that after developing symptoms of COVID-19 he visited the Bishalgarh sub-division hospital to get himself tested for the virus.

“I have had body ache and fever since yesterday and decided to get myself tested for COVID-19. I was tested through the rapid antigen kit at Bishalgarh sub-division hospital and the reports came positive,” Jamatia said.

Tripura has eight districts– Sepahiajla, Gomati, West, Unakoti, South, Khowai, North, Dhalai.

Jamatia is the first district magistrate & collector-level officer to have tested positive for coronavirus in the state.

Speaking with EastMojo, additional district magistrate, Udayan Sinha, said the office premises will be sanitized and all the close contacts and officials from Sepahijala district magistrate office will be tested by Tuesday evening.

“Since the announcement of lockdown, the office is running on one third strength and at present 27 staff members are present in the office. However, for today 10 of his close contacts will undergo a test for the virus,” Sinha said.

He also said that the decision to suspend the activities from the office or seal the district office would be taken by the government.

Soon after Jamatia tested positive, the district superintendent of police, Krishnendu Chakravertty, and others staff members of the magistrate office tested themselves for the virus.

Seven group-C staff members from the magistrate office tested positive for the virus, while other contacts are being traced.