As many as 53 journalists, including television cameramen, reporters, print photographers and web reporters, have been quarantined in a Mumbai hotel after they tested positive for coronavirus.
Confirming the development, TV Journalists’ Association (TVJA) President Vinod Jagdale told The Pioneer that the swab samples of 167 journalists were taken at a camp held near the Mumbai Press Club on April 16 and 17 and the test reports came on Monday.
“Of the 167 journalists, 53 have tested positive. They have all been quarantined in a city hotel. All the infected journalists are asymptomatic. They will remain in quarantine for the next 14 days. They will undergo two more tests during the period,” Jagdale said.
Having cognisance of the fact that two journalists from Thane had tested positive for coronavirus, Jagdale had written to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray urging him to arrange Covid-19 tests for the electronic, web and print media journalists based in Mumbai.
Following a request from the TVJA and Mantralaya & Legislature Reporters Association, the CM and Tourism Minister Uddhav Thackeray had directed the Brinhanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to conduct the special screening camp for media persons.