Tamil Nadu’s COVID-19 Spike Has been Linked to the Nizamuddin West Event in Delhi

The number of Coronavirus cases has spiked up in the state of Tamil Nadu. The state that had the least COVID-19 cases amongst the other states in India now stands at 124. 

Out of 124 cases, at least 77 of them have been linked to the people who attended the religious gathering in Delhi’s Nizamuddin area. According to health minister Dr. Beela Rajesh, 1131 people who attended the meet have returned. 615 have been traced while 516 are yet to be traced. 

All the people who have been tested positive have been admitted to hospitals in Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Chennai, and Namakkal and are said to be stable. 

The Tabligh-e-Jamaat's Markaz in Nizamuddin West has become the hotspot of COVID -19 cases. 24 people have been tested positive from the congregation which includes six from Telangana, 10 from Andamans, 1 from Kashmir and 50 from Tamil Nadu.

Six people from Telangana and 4 from Jammu and Kashmir who attended the event died of COVID-19. 

Ignoring all social distancing rules, the members of the group were staying in the 100-year-old mosque complex since March 8. 

In its defense, Markaz Nizamuddin said that the event was canceled after the PM announced the 21-day lockdown.

They said that the members could not leave as trains and other forms of transport were not available. Officials, however, say that the Delhi government had ordered the suspension of gatherings of any kind on March 13.

The police registered an FIR against Maulana Saad of the Nizamuddin center and the Delhi Police have cordoned off major areas in Nizamuddin West.