Fear being created by fake video: Patient

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, March 30

The 21-year-old youth from Patiala district, who was tested positive for coronavirus, said fear was being created by circulating a fake WhatsApp video in his name. The youngster is currently being treated at the Ambala Civil Hospital. He said, “I am fine now and recovering well. I want to tell everyone that it was not me in the video, which was making rounds on social media.”

Talking to The Tribune over the phone, he claimed though he was not directed by any official at the airport for self-isolation on his return from Nepal. However, he went into home-quarantine himself.

He said, “I had locked myself in a room and told my family members to wash their hands every time they came into my contact. My utensils were also being washed, regularly, by the family members.”

The youth said he had followed strict self-isolation guidelines, which saved his family members from the virus. “Fortunately, my close contacts tested negative which was a huge sigh of relief for me. People should stay indoors and follow health guidelines,” he narrated.

Notably, all the 14 close contacts of the positive patient, who were admitted to the isolation ward of the Rajindra Hospital, were discharged after they tested negative for the virus.

Patiala Civil Surgeon Harish Malhotra said the Health Department was working round-the-clock to keep a tab on the village. He said, “Our teams are conducting a survey and are keeping a vigil on villagers round-the-clock.”