One person among those who were killed in the horrific plane crash in Kozhikode, Kerala has tested positive for coronavirus, fuelling fears of a COVID cluster.
Aster MIMS Hospital issued a medical bulletin on 7 August confirming the news and assuring that all patients are being managed according to strict quarantine protocols.
Higher Education Minister K T Jaleel told media persons on Friday that they are awaiting the test results of others.
The post-mortem is being conducted at Kozhikode Medical College.
Health Minister KK Shailaja teacher has appealed to locals, airport staff, volunteers, health workers, police, firefighters, security personnel, ambulance workers, drivers, officials and the media to stay in quarantine.
Air India flight (IX-1344) from Dubai carrying 190 passengers skid off the runway during landing at Karipur airport on Friday.
Malappuram District Collector K Gopalakrishnan told The Quint on Saturday that 18 persons among the deceased have been identified and 16 others are critical in the hospital. Two pilots are among the deceased and four cabin crew members on board the aircraft are safe.
Appeal to Rescue Workers to Quarantine, Notify Health Department
All rescue workers have been asked to stay in quarantine as a precautionary measure and everyone will be tested for coronavirus. The area is a hotspot considering the concentration of COVID-19 cases.
In a press note, the health minister conveyed heartfelt thanks to the locals as “the depth of the tragedy was lessened only by the efforts of the volunteers.”
The state government was all praise for the locals who didn’t let the fear of COVID stop them from saving as many as possible. All rescue workers have been asked to notify the Department of Health immediately by calling the following helpline numbers:
Malappuram, Kozhikode District Control Room - 1056/ 0471 2552056
Malappuram: 0483 2733251, 2733252, 2733253
Kozhikode: 0495 2376063, 2371471, 2373901
The health minister has been assured help for those seeking treatment.
Long Lines of Blood Donors
People helped police manage the inflow of vehicles, paved way for ambulances and helped in getting more volunteers on the site.
Since the incident took place, local channels broadcast requests to the public to come forward and donate blood at Kozhikode Medical College. Within minutes, there was a long line of volunteers at the blood bank.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan took to Twitter to commend the rescue efforts by the people of Malappuram and Kozhikode. “Yesterday, the fast response of local people and officials made all the difference. They braved bad weather and COVID fears to rescue their fellow beings. The long queues of people who wanted to donate blood was just one example,” he tweeted.
10 Lakhs Ex Gratia to Kin of Deceased
Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced interim relief of Rs 10 lakh to the kin of each deceased person, Rs 2 lakh for those seriously injured and Rs 50,000 for those who suffered minor injuries.
In a press release, Air India Express mentioned that a special relief flight has been arranged from Mumbai and Delhi for rendering humanitarian assistance to all the passengers and their family members.
Pinarayi Vijayan assured that the medical aid to the victims will be taken care of by the state.
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