In an unprecedented case of COVID-19 spread, at least 17 members of a big family in Islampur in Sangli district have tested positive to the novel coronavirus.

Initially four of a family had first tested positive for the viral infection on Monday (Mar 23). They had returned after performing Umra in Saudi Arabia. By Wednesday (Mar 25), another five family members had tested positive. Five more members of the family tested positive today (Mar 27).

After 5 of them tested positive on 25 May, more than 20 other members of the extended family, who reside in the same locality, were put on compulsory quarantine by district health authorities. Their samples were taken and sent to NIV-Pune, where 12 more tested positive.

The samples were sent to NIV-Pune for testing.

With 17 cases emerging in the same family, Islampur is currently under strict monitoring.

Times of India quoted Sangli district civil surgeon Sanjay Salunkhe said as saying “We have contained the area. The medical teams are surveying the place, looking for the patients showing any symptom. As a precautionary measure, residents of around 500 homes have already been told to adhere to strict home-quarantine rules,”

Few screening points have also been established in the Islampur to limit the entry and exit of citizens.

Maharashtra has currently 133 active cases of Covid-19. 4 people have so far in the succumbed to the potentially deadly virus in the state.