Two brothers — migrant labourers who returned from Mumbai — were booked for allegedly giving officials the slip at a quarantine centre in Garhwa. The move by police came on a day the district administration appealed to the public not to panic about the pandemic.

The youths, aged 22 and 24 years, had tested positive for the coronavirus on May 28 following their return from Mumbai. They were shifted to the government quarantine centre in the district after their samples were collected on May 20. However, they managed to flee and were later found at their parents’ home at Sonourwa Mohalla in Garhwa town.

“An FIR has been lodged against them under Sections 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Indian Penal Code,” officer in charge Ramod Kumar Singh said.

The health department will take the samples of 21 people who are suspected to have come in contact with them, said civil surgeon N.K. Rajak.

‘No need for panic’

Garhwa deputy commissioner Harsh Mangla on Monday said that despite the growing number of cases in the district, there was no need for panic as Covid-19 patients were recovering rapidly.

Mangla said 48 patients had recovered from the disease and they have been discharged from a hospital in Meral.

He added that two new Covid-19 cases were detected in the district on Thursday in Garhwa town. Both were sent to the quarantine centre after screening but they went home. “But we will send the swab samples of their relatives for testing to ensure that they are not infected,” he said.

“So far 39,057 migrant labourers have returned to the district and have been quarantined,” he said.