Two IUML MLAs in in Kerala on Friday went into self-home quarantine on learning that an NRI who tested positive for coronavirus had come into conact with both of them before detection of the infection.
N A Nellikkunnu of Kasaragod constiutnecy had attended a wedding on March 15 where the NRI who had returned from Dubai was also present while M C Kamaruddin, representing Mancheshwaram, had posed for a selfi with the man though remaining seated in his car.
Health officials, meanwhile, said the man arrived at Kozhikode airport on March 12 and had taken a train the next day to reach here.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had on Thursday said the man tested positive for COVID-19, taking the total number of positive cases under treatement in the state to 25.
"I attended a wedding function on March 15. As the result came out yesterday, it was known he (the infected person) was also present at the wedding," Nellikkunnu told PTI.
The MLA said he took the decision to keep himself confined to home to send out a message to the public about the importance of self-quarantine.
"Some people who arrive from abroad consider it as a vacation, but they need to understand that they are posing a threat of spreading virus to the public. This self-quarantine is a message to the people to understand the gravity of the situation," Nellikunnu said.
Kamaruddin said the affected person took a selfie with him.
"I just lowered the window of my car and they took a selfie. I used sanitiser but still have decided to remain under quarantine," he told reporters.
Health officials, who traced the areas visited by him, said the NRI stayed at a hotel in Kozhikode before leaving for Kasaragod the next day by Maveli Express train.
He had approached hospital only on March 17, after developing mild symptoms of COVID-19, they said.
Kerala, now, has a total of 25 patients affected with coronavirus in the second wave after the state recorded the first three cases of infection in the country. All three had recovered.
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