Ranchi on Sunday recorded its first COVID-19 case in the ongoing wave, after a man who recently returned from Mumbai tested positive for the infection. Confirming the development, Ranchi Civil Surgeon Dr. Prabhat Kumar said the patient is undergoing treatment at a private hospital and is in stable condition.
“Today, we received the official confirmation of the first COVID-19 case in Ranchi of the current wave. His condition is stable and he is not showing any other complications,” Dr. Kumar told PTI.
In response to the case, the health department will launch a check-up drive in Ranchi starting Monday. Additionally, a 20-bed isolation ward is being set up at Sadar Hospital in the city to prepare for any further cases.
The patient, a member of the Jharkhand Film Development Corporation Limited, shared his experience on social media. “There are 257 confirmed COVID-19 cases in India so far, and I am one of them,” he wrote. He further revealed that he lost consciousness during his flight from Mumbai to Ranchi on May 22 and was unable to attend a scheduled film preview due to his health.
Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari urged the public not to panic, stating that the situation is under control. “This is a normal situation. There is no need to panic. The health department is monitoring the entire situation,” he said.
He also mentioned that the state is awaiting updated guidelines from the central government and is prepared to act swiftly once they are issued. “The state government will immediately take necessary steps as soon as the instructions are received,” Ansari added.
The case comes amid rising concerns over the emergence of new variants across India. However, officials emphasized that Jharkhand remains alert and ready to respond effectively.