Himachal Pradesh government orders magisterial probe into death of youth in quarantine

SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh government has ordered magisterial probe into the death of a youth during institutional quarantine at Swarghat area of Bilaspur district recently.
Relatives of deceased Harbans Singh had alleged that timely medical treatment was not provided to him during quarantine after he fell unconscious in the bathroom. They said that when youth was referred to Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMCH) Shimla from Bilaspur he died on the way and his body was kept unattended outside the hospital.
Jitender Singh (34) a resident of Barmana said that he along with his relative Harbans Singh (26) had gone to drop someone known to them on May 6 after due permission and same night they returned. He said that on May 7, at 10am their temperature was checked at Swarghat which was found normal. But instead of sending them to quarantine centre, concerned official kept them standing at the same spot till 6.30pm and only then they were taken to institution quarantine.
He said that on May 9, Harbans Singh got panicked after coming to know that one person had tested positive for Covid-19 from the quarantine centre. He said after a while he went to bathroom where he slipped and fell unconscious. He claimed that doctor arrived after around 30 minutes and checked Harbans from outside the door.
“Later he was shifted to Bilaspur hospital from where he was taken to Shimla and he died on the way,’ he said, adding that had officials attended him timely Harbans could have been alive. He said that even in Shimla body was kept unattended wrapped in plastic for hours.
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that State Government has decided to conduct a magisterial inquiry by Additional District Magistrate Bilaspur regarding death of the youth of Swarghat who was referred to Shimla for treatment. He said that any laxity in this regard would not be tolerated and strict action would be taken against the erring officials.
District Administration of Bilaspur on Monday had claimed that youth was kept in institution quarantine where he suffered epileptic seizure and was taken to government hospital Bilaspur for treatment from where he was further referred to IGMCH Shimla and he died on the way. Administration further stated that Corona sample of youth was taken and it was tested negative.