Jabbed twice, Patiala doctor infected 2nd time

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, April 17

Amid increasing skepticism about the vaccination, a doctor at Government Rajindra Hospital has tested positive for the second time in a month even after receiving both doses of the vaccine.

The doctor had received both doses of the vaccine in February.

After contracting the infection in March this year, the doctor again tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday.

Ironically, the doctor is said to have been symptomatic as well.

Experts believe the re-infection is posing questions at the rationale of the ongoing vaccination drive as the virus seems to have already mutated.

Dr Sachin Kaushal, nodal officer for isolation ward at Rajindra Hospital, said, “Given the cases of re-infection, it seems that a new strain of the coronavirus has already spread. The mutation needs to be studied thoroughly.”

The health experts, however, continue to claim that re-infection after vaccination was not abnormal, and the patient would either be asymptomatic or would exhibit only mild symptoms.

Meanwhile, it has been learned that there had been many cases of Covid re-infection but only a few were being documented by the Health Department.

District epidemiologist Dr Sumeet Singh said, “Only 12 cases of Covid re-infection have been reported so far.”

“People can test positive for the coronavirus even after getting both doses, but the severity will be less,” he added.

Disregarding norms

It has been learnt that junior and senior resident doctors living at the Government Medical College hostels were not adhering to the Covid-19 protocol. Dr Rajan Singla, Principal, Government Medical College, said, “The students have been repeatedly reminded to follow the Covid norms. I even conduct surprise checks in canteens and other areas to keep a vigil.”