Another 75-year-old woman tests positive

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 1

Another woman of Amarpura identified as Surinder Kaur (75) has tested positive for Covid-19. She has been kept in isolation by the Health Department.

Meanwhile, eight family members of Pooja Rani (42), a resident of Amarpura, who died at Rajindra Hospital Patiala recently, have tested negative for the Covid-19.

The question here arises that none of those, who tested negative for the disease, have been provided any written document by the authorities concerned. When asked Sukhwinder Singh, brother-in-law of Pooja, said, “Thankfully, we are all have tested negative for the disease.”

When questioned where their reports were sent for tests, Sukhwinder said nothing in written was given to them. The attending staff at the hospital informed them that they were okay and had tested negative for the disease and could go back home, Sukhwinder added. The family does not know whether reports were sent to Chandigarh, Delhi or Pune. “If tomorrow something happens, who will be responsible?” Sukhwinder said.

It could be termed as sorry state of affairs in the Health Department as the lone Civil Hospital in the city, the only ray of hope for the poor and needy, has no ventilators.

One of the staff nurse at the hospital on condition of anonymity said, “None is bothered for the installation of ventilators as there are no operators. The authorities have signed an MoU with the CMC as there is staff shortage. Now, we hear that the CMC has also refused to treat patients till the time they get PPE kits.”

Clinic visited by 75-yr-old Covid +ve woman sealed

ADCP-1 Gurpreet Singh Sikand, who is coordinating the ongoing Covid-19 investigation after the death of a Puja Rani at Amarpura, said another woman Surinder Kaur (75) of same locality, who tested positive, visited an orthopaedic clinic run by Dr Bali about a month ago.

Surinder visited the clinic for treatment of her broken arm and it is now a matter of probe, said the ADCP-1.  “"We have sealed the clinic. Samples of doctor and his staff are being taken to check if they are infected by same virus,” the ADCP-1 added.

Health Minister’s take

However, Balbir Singh Sidhu, Health Minister, Punjab, said last evening, four ventilators were installed at the CMC. “We will provide them drugs, logistics, PPE kits and in case we fail to do so, Rs 30,000 per patient will be give to the CMC,” Sidhu said while adding, “The Civil Hospital anesthesia staff has been given training at the DMC. They can assist at the CMC in case patients count rises.”

On being asked that no written report was given to people whose Covid-19 test was negative, Sidhu said, “One format is adopted all over the state. We get them checked at Patiala and Amritsar and are keeping a record.” When asked again to provide a satisfactory proof to the people, Sidhu added, “We can do that too in case it is needed.”

Civil Surgeon out of reach

Despite repeated attempts to contact Civil Surgeon (CS), Dr Rajesh Bagga, for getting actual reports/facts and figures, he did not respond to calls and messages.

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