110 deaths in 4 villages, yet residents shun tests

Ravinder Saini

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, May 16

Over 110 persons showing Covid-like symptoms have died in four villages, including Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s native village Nindana, in Rohtak district over the past three weeks.

Though teams of the Health Department are conducting door-to-door surveys in these villages, most villagers seem reluctant to get themselves tested for Covid. Nindana village has reported over 35 such deaths so far, while the count is over 40 in Farmana, 22 in Bainsi and 15 in Kharar.

“Nindana village has been reporting average three daily deaths for the past fortnight. Around 15 persons have died following fever here,” said Jaswant, sarpanch of Nindana Mohammadpur panchayat, while Rajesh, husband of Nindana Tigri panchayat sarpanch, said 18 persons from that panchayat had lost their lives.

“Most villagers are unwilling to undergo Covid test.

However, they have stopped roaming around unnecessarily and started getting themselves vaccinated,” he added.

Mohinder Fouzi of Nidana village said at least one or two members in every family in the village were either still suffering from fever or had recovered. “The situation has started improving now,” he claimed.

Bainsi village Sarpanch Krishan Chhabra said over 20 villagers had died after developing Covid-like symptoms. Many others were still in the grip of fever, but majority of them were not ready for Covid test. “A 10-bedded isolation centre has been established in the village, but no one is coming to stay as there is no doctor, nurse, oxygen supply or medicine,” he added.

Farmana Sarpanch Ashish said the village had seen over 40 such deaths so far. “The administration should conduct a door-to-door survey in the village, besides undertaking Covid testing,” he said.