2 of deceased Covid patient’s family test positive

Ludhiana: After a Ludhiana resident died of Covid in a Chandigarh hospital two days ago, health authorities confirmed two more cases in the district on Thursday night. Both are family members of the deceased. According to civil surgeon Dr Ramandeep Kaur, the 19-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son of the deceased Covid patient have tested positive for the disease. Their father died in a Chandigarh hospital. His wife and two other children, including a son and daughter, tested negative. Dr Kaur added that the two family members who tested positive are asymptomatic and have been home quarantined. A health official, asking not to be named, said that even though three of the family members of the deceased had tested negative, they had been asked to take precautions. He added that 10 contacts of the deceased at ESI hospital, where he was admitted before being referred to a Chandigarh hospital, and around 15 contacts in the area were tested for Covid and all of them tested negative.On being asked if more people were being tested for Covid, the health official said that residents could come for voluntary sampling, but the department was not engaging in large-scale testing. Meanwhile, health minister Dr Balbir Singh, who was in Ludhiana for an event related to the dengue campaign, visited the house of the deceased Covid patient to offer condolences. He encouraged the family to adhere to isolation guidelines and assured them of the government's support. Addressing the current Covid situation, the minister said that there was no cause for concern as only three Covid cases had been recorded in Punjab. He added that the situation was normal, and Punjab was fully equipped with adequate infrastructure, including oxygen, medicines, beds, and necessary resources.He also advised vulnerable individuals, such as pregnant women, the elderly, and those with co-morbidities to wear masks when stepping outside as a precautionary measure. Calling for public suppport, the minister said, "Through collective action and adherence to preventive measures, we can protect our communities from both dengue and Covid-19," he said. In A NutshellFamily transmission: The 19-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son of the deceased have tested positive. They are asymptomatic and quarantined at home.Limited spread: Fortunately, all other contacts, including those at the ESI hospital and in the local area, tested negative, suggesting limited transmission so farPrecautionary measures: Authorities are not conducting mass testing but are encouraging voluntary sampling. Vulnerable groups are advised to wear masksGovernment response: The health minister's visited the family and assured them of government support MSID:: 121517281 413 |