Coronavirus: 72-year-old dies in Punjab; death toll mounts to 4
The ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic has claimed a fourth life in India. A 72-year-old man died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Nawanshahr district of Punjab, senior officials told PTI on Thursday. The man had a history of traveling to Germany and Italy. According to reports, the deceased also suffered from diabetes and hypertension. Here are more details.
Man died on Wednesday; tested positive for COVID-19 after death
Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Director Jagat Ram said that the man died at the Banga community health center on Wednesday. Ram said that the man was tested positive for COVID-19 after his death and the reports came in on Wednesday night. State Principal Secretary (Health) Anurag Aggarwal also confirmed that the man tested positive for coronavirus.
Man suffered chest pains; collapsed in hospital
District civil surgeon Rajinder Prasad Bhatia told PTI the septuagenarian was admitted to the hospital for severe chest pains on Wednesday. However, he immediately collapsed and died later in the day. Reportedly, he also suffered from diabetes and hypertension. Bhatia said that the 72-year-old had returned to India on March 7 after traveling to Germany and Italy—one of the worst-hit countries in the outbreak.
Doctor who treated man, family quarantined
According to The Tribune, authorities have sealed off the area around the 72-year-old's village up to a 3 km radius. The deceased's home has also been sealed since Wednesday, the report added. His relatives and friends are being quarantined. The government doctor, who was treating the man, has also been quarantined. Reportedly, the family shared his travel history only after his death.
Total confirmed cases in India rise to 173
The previous three coronavirus-related deaths in India involve a 76-year-old man in Karanataka's Kalaburagi, a 68-year-old woman in Delhi, and a 64-year-old man in Maharashtra's Mumbai. According to the Union Health Ministry, as of 5 pm on Thursday, the total number of cases in India stood at 173, including foreigners. Out of these, 19 have been discharged, one has migrated, and four have died.
Globally, COVID-19 has killed nearly 9,000
COVID-19 was first reported in China's Wuhan city in December 2019. The disease is caused by a novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. The virus attacks a host's respiratory system triggering symptoms such as fever, cough, and breathing difficulties. In severe cases, it may cause pneumonia, multiple organ failure, or death. COVID-19 has spread to roughly 150 countries worldwide, killing nearly 9,000 and sickening 2 lakh.
International flights barred from landing in India from March 22-29
Meanwhile, in the wake of the global spread of the outbreak, the Press Information Bureau announced on Thursday that scheduled international commercial passenger flights shall not be allowed to land in India from March 22 for a period of one week.
