In Gujarat, a major fire broke out in Ahmedabad’s COVID hospital in the wee hours today. According to police sources, at least eight COVID patients including three women died in the incident. Sources said that the fire started around 3:30 am in the ICU department of Shrey Hospital in the Navrangpura area of Ahmedabad. Several fire tenders were rushed to the spot to control the fire. Many patients had been rescued by the police and fire department. Ahmedabad police have arrested the Director of the Shrey Hospital Bharat Mahant.

Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said that fire broke out in the ICU unit of the hospital. He said that the primary reason for the fire is likely to be short circuit. Government has ordered an inquiry into this incident by two senior IAS officers. Police and FSL experts have started investigations. Principal Health Secretary Dr. Jayanti Ravi and Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Mukesh Kumar rushed to the spot after the incident. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani expressed grief and sorrow over the death of patients in the fire incident.

President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu have expressed condolences over the loss of lives in fire accident at a hospital in Ahmedabad. Mr. Kovind said he is sad to hear about the tragic fire accident. He said his thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. He also wished the injured an early recovery.

The Vice President said he is deeply pained by the loss of lives and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed sadness over the tragic hospital fire in Ahmedabad. In a tweet today, Mr. Modi expressed condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the early recovery of injured persons.

The Prime Minister announced that ex-gratia of 2 lakh rupees each would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives. He said 50 thousand rupees each would be given to those who got injured due to the hospital fire.

The Prime Minister spoke to Chief Minister of Gujarat Vijay Rupani and Mayor of Ahmedabad Bijal Patel regarding the situation. Mr. Modi said that the administration is providing all possible assistance to the affected.

Meanwhile, in Gujarat, 1046 COVID-19 patients have been discharged from various hospitals after recovery during the last 24 hours. The recovery rate has further improved to 73.99 percent. 

According to official sources, 1073 new cases have been reported in the state yesterday. Maximum 187 new cases reported from Surat, while Ahmedabad recorded 143 new cases. Total cases in the state have gone up to 66777. Out of 14815 active cases in the state, the conditions of 76 patients are serious and they are on ventilator support. 23 patients have lost their lives yesterday, taking the total death due to Covid19 in the state up to 2557. More than 879000 tests have been carried out in the state to date, out of which 24374 tests have been carried out yesterday. Meanwhile, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has added 24 more areas in the Micro Containment Zone, while removing 17 areas. Door to door surveillance and mass screening will be launched in the new areas in the micro containment zone from today.

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