IAS Officer Pallavi Jain Govil Tests COVID-19 Positive, Continues To Work

Madhya Pradesh’s Principal Secretary (Health) Pallavi Jain Govil reportedly tested positive for the deadly COVID-19 but continues to work reportedly from the room where she has been quarantined.

The IAS officer who is part of the state’s task force in fighting against the deadly infectious disease is responsible for managing the drugs, equipment and logistics in the state. In a short video message, Pallavi said, “You must have read in newspapers that I have tested positive. Because we were continually working with many officers, it’s possible that I may have got the infection from someone. But I don’t have any symptoms. I am healthy and on doctor’s advice working from my room.”

Key Takeaway

• Madhya Pradesh’s Principal Secretary (Health) Pallavi Jain Govil has reportedly tested positive for Coronavirus.
• Shivraj Singh Chouhan said he had advised her to take rest however she chose to continue with her work.
• Till Sunday evening, 26 patients in Bhopal are undergoing treatment in the AIIMS. Overall, the number of coronavirus cases in Madhya Pradesh has gone up to 194 of whom 13 have died.

The state Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan praised the officer.  He said he had advised her to take rest however she chose to continue with her work. Chouhan also said, "It’s with assistance from officials like you that we will soon get rid of the infection from the state."

Govil also pointed out in her message that, "for most people, corona is a mild infection without any symptoms. It’s better to be at home. Maybe, we are infected. In the absence of symptoms, we are unaware and, therefore, unknowingly spread it.’’

Pallavi Jain's enthusiasm to work has received criticism. There are reports saying that the IAS officer may have conducted meetings which would be unwise given how contagious coronavirus is. An NDTV report notes that Jain conducted meetings with many senior officers at a time the state of Madhya Pradesh also reported an increased number of COVID cases.

NDTV report notes that the Chief Secretary has been asked by the commission to respond to questions including when the officers mentioned in the news reports were tested positive and why they were not kept in isolation wards.

A press release by the government's department of public relations on 7th April defended her. "Her son had arrived from the US on March 16 and as per the advisory issued by the Government of India, US was not among the 12 nations listed by the government notification for restrictions to be observed," it said. However it is well known that United States right now has amongst the most cases of coronavirus and it has entered a community spread stage.

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On Saturday evening, both Pallavi Jain Govil and additional director Dr Veena Sinha tested positive for COVID-19. Three officials from the health department have also tested positive for novel coronavirus. Moreover, 12 IAS officers who had attended meetings and were in contact with them, have home quarantined themselves, The Week reported. The district collector of Bhopal has now declared one km radii in five localities, including the posh Char Imli locality, where the senior IAS officials, as containment areas.

For most people, corona is a mild infection without any symptoms. It’s better to be at home. Maybe, we are infected. In the absence of symptoms, we are unaware and, therefore, unknowingly spread it - Pallavi Jain

As of Wednesday April 8 morning, the number of coronavirus positive cases in the country has risen to about 5000.

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Picture Credit: legendofficers.com