First coronavirus death reported in Punjab

Punjab swung into a major preventive mode against COVID-19 following the first death of a Nawanshahar district-based elderly man, who was confirmed positive for the disease after cremation on Wednesday evening.

According to information, the 70-year-old man who returned from Germany via Italy a fortnight ago and died in a government hospital. He was admitted to the hospital after he complained of severe chest pain.

His samples were sent to the PGI, Chandigarh, and were tested positive for the coronavirus, hospital officials claimed.

According to district administration, the village and an area of up to a 3 km radius around it has been sealed. The house of the victim has also been sealed since Wednesday.

The government doctors and other paramedical staff who treated him have been quarantined. The relatives, friends and other people who came in contact with the man are also being quarantined.

The Punjab government, however, issued a statement on Thursday evening saying that Baldev Singh, a resident of Pathlawa village, SBS Nagar arrived on March 7th from Germany via Italy at Delhi Airport and reached his village on the same day. He was already suffering from diabetes and hypertension.

He was under home quarantine. He reported in government hospital (CHC Banga) on early morning of March 18.

The patient attended by staff and samples were taken since symptoms were there. The patient died due to cardiac arrest after some time in the hospital on the same day. The cremation was done under aseptic conditions on March 18. The samples were sent to the PGI, Chandigarh, and were found positive for COVID-19. The cause of death was cardiac arrest.