Six Covid-19 deaths in Vidarbha, all tested positive post-death

Chaitanya Deshpande | TNN | Updated: Apr 24, 2020, 10:23 IST

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NAGPUR: With two women who died in Amravati on April 20 testing positive for Covid-19 on April 22, death toll due to coronavirus in Vidarbha has gone up to six. These include three from Amravati and one each from Buldhana, Nagpur and Akola.
There are several things common in these six deaths. None of the deceased had any known travel history. All died as Covid-19 suspects and were tested as confirmed positive case after death. All the diseased had comorbidities like hypertension, diabetes, kidney problems or TB. All were above 40 years of age and died before test reports of their swab samples arrived.
In other words, they died as Covid-19 suspects and not as confirmed patients. None of them was shifted to isolation. This also means that no Covid-19 patient has died till date in the region during treatment in isolation wards. The only exception to this is a 30-year-old youth, who committed suicide in Akola isolation ward after he came to know that he was detected Covid-19 positive. But, he committed suicide and had not died of Covid-19.
Five out of the six deaths are from Amravati division. “Three deaths are in Amravati and one each in Akola and Buldhana. Most of them were earlier treated in private hospitals,” said Dr Riyaz Faruqui, deputy director (health services), Amravati division.
“Our focus is on tracing high risk contacts of the deceased and detect positive patients at the earliest. Moving them to isolation wards will not only help breaking corona’s chain, but also ensure their condition remains stable and chances of recovery are more,” he added.
Vidarbha has 125 active Covid-19 cases at present. No Covid-19 patient has ever died after being admitted in isolation ward for treatment. According to officials, more than 70% active cases in Vidarbha are asymptomatic and have all chances to recover.
Covid-19 deaths in Vidarbha
1. BULDHANA | Schoolteacher (45) | Patient of diabetes and hypertension | died of pneumonia on March 28 at Buldhana Govt hospital | tested positive on March 29 | was admitted in a private hospital for three days
2. AMRAVATI | Motor rewinding technician (45) | patient of hypertension | died of viral pneumonia on April 2 at Covid-19 hospital in Amravati | tested +ve on April 4 | was admitted in local private hospital for two days
3. NAGPUR | Real estate agent (68) | patient of TB | died of pneumonia on April 5 at IGGMCH Covid-19 ward | tested +ve on April 6 | got himself admitted to IGGMCH as his regular clinic was closed due to lockdown
4. AKOLA | Businessman (45) | patient of uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension | died of respiratory illness at govt hospital on April 13 | tested +ve on April 15 | was admitted directly to government hospital as he was a resident of locality from where positive patients had already been reported
5. Amravati | Woman (60) | resident of Hyderpura area which is already sealed | patient of hypertension | died at private hospital on April 20 | samples taken post death | tested +ve on April 22
6. Amravati | Woman (70) | resident of Kamela Ground which is sealed | patient of sugar and BP | died at home due to old age on April 20 | samples taken post death | tested +ve on April 22
Akola | One person committed suicide in isolation ward on April 11 | was tested Covid-19 positive on April 10