Pune: Maharashtra government is likely to take an important decision on what to do with the nine persons who have tested positive for corona virus which causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in the wake of World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring India as SARS-free.

State Health Minister Digvijay Khanvilkar said he has asked the director general of health to submit a report in this regard. "We will take a fresh approach in the light of these developments," he said.

Asked whether the nine persons who tested positive will be dequarantined, he said he would spell out the action after consulting the director general of health.

The minister was however critical of Union Health Minister Sushma Swaraj for making unilateral statement on SARS without taking others into confidence.

Even if the persons who have tested positive for the virus have not shown any symptoms, the fact remains that they are infected. Hence it was the duty of the state government to take all precautions and that is exactly what we did, he added.

Though it was a matter of consolation that the patients who have tested positive are not dangerous for themselves and to others, we could not have taken chances because of the very fact that they have infection.

The minister denied allegations levelled by Sidharth hospital where nine persons who tested positive for the virus are kept in quarantine, that government was shirking its responsibility.

PTI