Shifted by 3 hosps, 85-year-old MP patient dies at VNIT centre

Nagpur: An 85-year-old Covid positive man passed away at VNIT Covid care centre (CCC), around 5.30pm on Tuesday. The man belongs to Seoni in Madhya Pradesh and was reportedly transferred from three hospitals before being taken in at VNIT CCC — which is being run in the institute’s boys hostel.
This is the first time a confirmed Covid death took place at a CCC in the city. On August 6, a suspect aged between 65 and 70 had died in his room at MLA Hostel CCC. The Wadi resident’s body was shifted to GMCH mortuary, where his sample was taken and found positive the next day. As per civil surgeon’s record, MLA Hostel CCC has not recorded any death.
As per protocol, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) conducted the last rites of the 85-year-old at Ambazari Ghat around 9.30pm on Tuesday. The body was packed and kept at the CCC only, till the hearse van arrived around 9pm.
The VNIT CCC death came to light when the MP resident’s fellow patient alerted doctors and paramedical staff. The elderly man was found lying on the floor near the attached toilet of his room.
Officials said the elderly deceased had come to Nagpur for a non-Covid medical procedure. As all patients are tested before surgeries, he too was tested and found positive on August 18. It is not clear on which date he arrived in the city, but officials said he had put up at his daughter’s place.
His treating surgeon suggested that the man be admitted in a hospital, and he was taken to the NMC-run Indira Gandhi Rugnalaya (IGR) at Gandhi Nagar on the date of testing positive. However, he was shifted to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) later, followed by another transfer to Shalinitai Meghe Medical College (SMMC) in Hingna.
CCC and civic officials refused to explain why the elderly man was frequently transferred, while he only had IGR and SMMC case papers.
On August 22, SMMC advised him home isolation as he was asymptomatic. But the man’s family claimed it didn’t have home isolation facility, even though his relatives allegedly belong to a financially sound background.
Considering the man’s old age, the CCC staff advised the deceased and his roommate to always keep their door open.
Officials said the staff had been routinely checking his SPO2 (blood oxygen saturation) level and pulse rate, which were normal. He also remained asymptomatic during his entire stay at VNIT CCC.
The CCCs have been round the clock provided a couple of ambulances for emergency patients who may develop breathlessness or any other problem. CCCs are operating as screening centres for people with comorbidities, and those showing mild symptoms. People not having home isolation facility are also allowed to stay for 10 days.