A tweet for help as locals claim 9 deaths in May in Pataudi village, suspect Covid

Gurgaon: Baspadamka village in Pataudi has seen nine deaths this month due to Covid-like symptoms, local residents claim. The cause of these deaths hasn’t been confirmed yet because no Covid tests were done.
A youth took to Twitter to seek help from the government late on Tuesday, following which a medical team was sent there for a survey. The youth, Naveen Kumar, told TOI nine people have died in May so far in the village.
“They were all senior citizens and had Covid-like symptoms, including fever and cough,” he said.
Asked about tests, there was a “taboo” around the infection and lack of testing centres nearby. Naveen, who works with a manufacturing unit in Gurgaon, said his family members recently tested positive for Covid, but have recovered with timely treatment.
Another youth, Pradeep Yadav, said the latest among the deaths had taken place on Wednesday morning. “The only place we can get the tests done is Pataudi, and the centre there is extremely crowded,” said Pradeep, who is an advocate, adding people are relying on quacks for treatment in the absence of medical infrastructure in the village.
Lack of awareness about Covid and fears of ostracism on being infected are making things worse, residents said.
“People know that if they test positive, they may not get the required treatment. They are also scared of being socially ostracised by other villagers,” said Sudhir Yadav, who runs an NGO in the village.
He added that once someone tests positive, others not only stop talking to them, but their families as well. “Their families struggle to buy even essentials as people don’t want to engage with them, fearing the spread of infection,” Sudhir said. Cremations of those who died are also taking place the usual way, claimed Naveen.
Worried that the infection might be spreading in the village, Naveen took to social media and raised the issue with the district administration on Tuesday night. Taking cognisance, sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Pradeep Yadav ordered a probe. “I found out about this from the tweet on Tuesday night. I have asked the senior medical officer and the block development officer to conduct a survey and find out if the deaths happened due to Covid,” said the SDM. Once the probe is complete, the administration will take required steps, he added.
A team of healthcare workers visited the village and conducted the survey on Wednesday. A report is expected in the coming days, officials said.