Truck driver did not 'escape' from Tripura: "Too early to declare the essential service driver is Corona patient," Karimganj official 

Today, a piece of news broke in regional media claiming a truck driver has escaped from Tripura to Karimganj after he was tested positive. Contrary to the reports, it turns out that the truck driver has reached his home in Kayasthagram, Karimganj on May 6, 2020, while the Chief Minister of Tripura, Biplab Deb tweeted about the truck driver being tested positive last night, May 8, 2020.

Nilambazar Circle Officer along with other senior officials from Karimganj administration and the district health department have rushed to the truck driver’s home today morning. “We were informed by the superintendent of Police, West Tripura earlier today about a truck driver who has tested positive in Tripura and is now at his home in Karimganj. After getting the information, we reached his home immediately and suggested all of them to be under quarantine. We have collected the samples today and reports are awaited. It is too early to say that the essential-service driver is a Corona patient,” said an officer in the Nilambazar circle office.

The news reports on television claimed that the truck driver ran away after he was tested positive. “He drives a truck that delivers gas cylinders, as we know it is an essential service and is allowed to ply on the road. So, there is no question of him running away,” said an officer.

People in Barak Valley have already started comparing the truck with the bus that traveled to Cachar from Rajasthan. 10 passengers from that bus have already tested positive and are now being treated in Silchar Medical College and Hospital. “In this case, it is a truck that delivers essential service. The driver returned to his home and had gone out to do his duty. It won’t be right to demean him by saying that he escaped a quarantine centre after he tested positive. Agartala administration got the report yesterday and according to him and his neighbours, he returned on May 6, so the is no question of him running away after he tested positive,” said the officer.

The medical team collected his sample for the swab test and will decide on the further course of action after getting the report. Meanwhile, 21 members of the driver’s extended family have been placed under quarantine. “The suspected patient looks completely asymptomatic,” informed an officer who visited his house.