Not a single case of coronavirus in Jharkhand

Not a single case of coronavirus has been reported in the state of Jharkhand, said the state health department on Wednesday.

According to health officials, samples of 77 coronavirus suspect cases have been tested, out of which 61 samples have turned negative. The lab reports of 16 suspects are yet to come out.

Samples collected from different districts were sent for testing in Jamshedpur. The health ministry is keeping an eye on about 450 people who have returned to Jharkhand from Italy, China and other countries.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren has expressed satisfaction that so far no coronavirus case has been found in the state.

Soren on Wednesday took stock of the government's preparedness to fight COVID-19.

On the question of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of a complete lockdown, Soren said, "This should have happened earlier. We are prepared to deal with any crisis."

Soren made an appeal to the citizens to abide by the lockdown order, and not to move outside unnecessarily. IANS