Khuntuni: The news of a dead man testing positive for COVID-19 scared family members, relatives, friends and neighbours as they left the body unattended for over three hours. This unusual turn of event was reported from a village under Khuntuni police limits in Cuttack district Saturday evening.
According to a source, the person, aged 65, had been suffering from cold and fever for last several days. As his fever continued even after having some medicines, he voluntarily got his swab collected at a government health centre at Bentpada in Athgarh. As his condition deteriorated, family members admitted him at Athgarh sub-divisional hospital Saturday. Few moments later, the doctors there declared him dead.
Family members brought back the body to the village for last rites. One hour passed by and some close family members, relatives and neighbours had already made arrangements for taking the body to the village cremation ground.
Meanwhile, Dr Dillip Das from Berhampur health centre informed the family members that their patient tested positive for COVID-19 and all hell broke loose. All those who were present at his residence panicked and began to leave.
The body, subsequently, was seen lying unattended for three hours until the arrival of a special COVID van from Cuttack. Eventually, the last rites were performed in presence of local sarpanch, doctor and health staff at Kaliaboda in Cuttack at about 6pm, informed the deceased’s son.
PNN
