Ludhiana Covid victim had no travel history

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 31

The Covid-19 positive woman from Amarpura Mohalla here, who died at Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala yesterday, did not have any travel history. The department is searching for her contacts to know the source of her infection. The department has still not traced the source of infection to a Gurdev Nagar-based positive patient, who is the first positive patient from Ludhiana.

Meanwhile, the Health Department collected samples of the contacts of the deceased woman. “We have collected 27 samples of the close contacts of the woman and 48 other contacts. The woman had no travel history and now we are trying to locate the source of infection,” said the Civil Surgeon, Dr Rajesh Bagga.

The woman is survived by two sons and one daughter. One son is a driver, who transports industrial goods within the city, and the other works as a security guard. The daughter stays at home only.

Bobby, son of the deceased, said her mother worked at a factory near Dana Mandi but had been staying home much before the lockdown, as she had left her job. The family lives in rented accommodation in a building that has three floors and all floors have been rented out to separate families.

Kin blame Civil Hospital

As claimed by the family and relatives of the deceased woman, she was undergoing treatment for her respiratory problem and visited the emergency OPD at Civil Hospital. “Had the hospital taken her sample before, she could have bend saved. When her condition worsened on Sunday, she was admitted to the isolation ward,” said Sukhwinder, brother-in-law of the deceased.

The SMO, Dr Ravi Dutt, said he would have to check the record to confirm if the woman had been getting treatment from the hospital since March 24.

The Civil Surgeon, Dr Rajesh Bagga, said many flu patients came to the hospital and a separate flu corner had been set up. “We can conduct a test only when there is acute respiratory syndrome. When she came to the Hospital on Sunday, she was not suffering from acute syndrome. When her condition worsened, she was referred to Rajindra Hospital in Patiala where her sample was taken,” he said.

Emergency staff want their samples tested

Staff of the emergency ward at Civil Hospital raised a huge hue and cry as they wanted to get their samples tested for Covid-19. The deceased woman had first come to the hospital and since she required oxygen, she was shifted to the emergency ward.

The Civil Surgeon said he had asked for a list of the staff members who were on duty that day and who came in contact with the deceased. “The samples of all those who came in contact with the woman will be sent to lab,” he said.

Deceased’s sons flee from isolation ward

Both sons of the deceased fled from the isolation ward and reached Islam Gunj. When they were stopped by the police and sent back to the isolation ward.

Helpline numbers

• Dist Ludhiana: 0161-2444193
• State: 104
• Info for tracking of foreign travellers: 0161-4622276
• One can also contact: Dr Divjot Singh: 9041274030 Dr Ramesh: 9855716180