UP, Delhi, Karnataka govts to arrange COVID-19 tests for media persons; some journalists in Tamil TV channel test positive

The governments of Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Delhi on Tuesday decided to arrange COVID-19 tests for media persons even as some journalists from a Tamil news TV channel in Chennai tested positive for the infection in a fresh incident involving scribes.

As media persons face mounting health risks in coronavirus coverage, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has given cash incentives totalling Rs 31.10 lakh to 176 journalists in the state in recognition of their work in reporting of the outbreak.

The Centre also said it is considering sending an advisory to media establishments on the need for journalists to take adequate safety measures.

"Not less than 25 people have tested positive from the 90 plus samples (for confirmatory RT-PCR test) taken," a Tamil Nadu health department official told PTI in Chennai, days after two journalists, including one who worked with the same channel confirmed positive for COVID-19.

The official also said the test results of those associated with the television channel including some journalists were being collated. Tamil Nadu has recorded 1,596 coronavirus cases.

Addressing the media online, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the government will start COVID-19 testing for media persons from Wednesday, two days after at least 53 journalists from Mumbai had tested positive for coronavirus.

"We have set up a centre. All media houses and journalists will be informed about it. Interested mediapersons can undergo tests from tomorrow morning at the centre," Kejriwal said. The number of COVID-19 infections has crossed 2,000 in the national capital.

The Uttar Pradesh Government said orders have been issued for coronavirus testing of accredited journalists who are interested.

"Orders have been issued for coronavirus testing of accredited journalists state headquarter in Lucknow," Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi told reporters.

State Director (Information) Shishir said, "Accredited journalists of state headquarter can get themselves tested for presence of coronavirus. This has started from Tuesday, and will be done in Lok Bhavan in Lucknow."