The district administration has said that it has established contact with “almost all” passengers of B1 coach of Rajdhani Express who boarded the train on March 16 for their journey from Delhi to Ranchi.

The 22-year-old Malaysian woman who tested positive for the novel coronavirus was in that coach on that day. The train had reached Ranchi on March 17.

She had put up at a place of worship in Hindpiri along with 16 other foreign nationals. All of them had been to the religious congregation in Delhi where many participants have tested positive for the virus across the country.

A total of 60 passengers had travelled in the B1 coach of the Delhi-Ranchi Rajdhani that started its journey on March 16.

“We have been able to establish contact with almost all passengers and they got their medical tests done. They so far have not exhibited any symptom of the novel coronavirus but are under observation and we are in regular touch with them,” Ranchi deputy commissioner (DC) Rai Mahimapat Ray said on Friday.

He said the step was taken on March 31 after district administration came to know about the Malaysian woman's travel history.

“Right after that I had publicised my mobile number and 1950, which is a toll-free number. I did it because it could have taken some time for the railways to provide us the list of the passengers. Many persons personally contacted me and shared their details. Railway authority also put its staff, who were on duty, in quarantine,” Ray said.

The railway quarters at Hatia and Chutia localities are under strict quarantine as part of the railways’ decision.

It is believed that the Malaysian woman came in touch with around 100 people, and the district administration is trying to identify all of them.

On Friday, the district administration started health check-ups of residents of Hindpiri since the Malaysian woman had stayed in the locality and also held religious meetings.

Health check-up camps were organised at six places. Late on Thursday evening, door-to-door screening of some families was also done.

“People are cooperating in the drive. People were in fact unhappy with poor arrangements at the quarantine centre at Hotwar. They are turning up for health check-ups,” said Congress leader Samsher Alam, who is a local resident.