LUCKNOW: In a rare turn of events, Covid-19 was detected post-mortally in Bhagwati Singh, founder member of the Samajwadi Party, who had pledged to donate his body to medical students of King George’s Medical University.
After his death on Sunday morning, the family fulfilled his promise by donating the 89-year-old leader's body to KGMU’s anatomy department. However, when the body was screened for Covid-19 as per normal protocol, it was found positive to the pandemic infection.
“The donated body was tested as per protocol to save medical students from getting exposed to the such a contagious infection. When the result was found positive, the body was handed over back to the family for respectful and ritualistic funeral. We have also informed the local administration so that the testing and contact tracing exercise may be launched,” said Dr Sudhir Singh spokesperson, KGMU.
The body was handed over to the family at around 11 am from where closed relatives took it to the Baikuntha Dhaam electric crematorium. Complaining of lot of inconvenience here, son Rakesh Singh said: “Four of us kept waiting for our turn for more than three-and-a-half-hour as only one of the two units at the crematorium are functional. The administration must get it repaired immediately in public interest.”
Meanwhile, district health office launched testing and contact tracing exercise. Samples from ten family member, including all women, two servants and two children, were collected by a team and the report is expected by Tuesday morning.
“All the women were tested, but the men, including two of my grand uncles, father, uncle, two brothers and a cousin, are yet to be tested. In fact, we requested the team to wait for their return from the funeral, but they did not. We have also requested them to revisit us when they can, but so far we have not got a positive reply,” Bhagwati Singh’s grand-daughter Pooja told TOI.
However, merely testing the close family and relatives may not be able to help in checking spread from this point as going by family’s claim; several thousand paid a visit to the River Bank colony based residence.
“More than 10,000 persons have paid a visit to our home in River Bank Colony on Sunday while many reached KGMU thereafter. We urge everyone to watch for symptoms and ensure that they stay safe from the virus,” requested Rakesh. Office of the CMO did not respond despite repeated efforts.
The family also regretted the unfortunate turn of events and believed that the final good deed of their Samajwadi Party leader could not see light of the day. “The doctors told us that many people pledge but only a few commitments translate into actual handing over like ours. The Covid-19 virus wasted his donation,” rued Pooja.
She also said that Singh showed no sign of Covid.