PUNE: A stationery shop owner from Perne Phata tested positive for Covid-19 and was referred to the quarantine centre in Balewadi as the gram panchayat conducted rapid antigen tests on 201 people mostly potential superspreaders like shopkeepers and vegetable vendors.
The tests were conducted as a precaution since lakhs of people visit the village to commemorate the anniversary of the battle of Koregaon Bhima every January 1.
Dalit community members gather at the Koregaon Bhima victory tower in Perne to pay obeisance to those who died in the battle between the British and the
Peshwa
on January 1, 1818.
The district administration has appealed to people for low-key programmes at the memorial this year due to the pandemic. It also announced restrictions, including a ban on outsiders setting up temporary stalls in the vicinity of the victory tower. Local traders and eateries are expected to cater to the crowd visiting the pillar.
Harish Lohar, incharge of the primary health centre in Perne Phata, said, “The antigen test drive was a precautionary measure as they would come in contact with a large number of people on the day of the event.”
The person who tested positive is asymptomatic. “We have carried out testing of six of his family members and they tested negative,” Lohar added.
He said they have sent water samples from the village for testing to Aundh Chest Hospital on Saturday.
“Testing of the water is necessary to prevent spread of waterborne diseases during the event. We will get the reports in a few days, and accordingly, measures will be taken,” Lohar said.
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