Rajasthan: 27 deaths in 28 days leave health staff in a tizzy at Sikar’s Kheerva

JAIPUR: Deaths due to ‘unexplained’ reasons in Sikar district’s Kheerva village continue to haunt residents.
In the last 28 days, 27 people have died, including eight due to Covid complications, in this village of 3,500 people.

Health officials have conducted inspections twice, but are yet to figure out the reason for the fatalities.
The latest death was reported at 7am on Saturday. The deceased, Sher Alam (38), was the 27th casualty since the spate of deaths began on April 16.
Like many others, Alam did not have any illness or comorbidity. He died after complaining of severe chest pain.
Every death creates fear among the 500 households. “Nobody is stepping out for groceries. The general shops remain closed even between the permitted time of 6am and 11am,” said Ashfaq Kaimkhany, a social activist based in Sikar, who is keeping tabs on the developments.
Of all the casualties, eight had Covid and died because of complications while the rest did not have any symptoms, said the health office in Sikar. TOI repeatedly called up CMHO Ajay Choudhary and SDM of Lachmangarh Kulraj Meena for their comments but they did not respond. Health department surveys have ruled out possibility of community spread of Covid.
Villagers have crowdfunded over Rs 20 lakh for vaccination
Its random sampling of RT-PCR reports has given a positivity rate below 10%, making it one-third of the state average.
“Barring a few, the deceased were not related to each other. Unless a post-mortem is conducted, one can never come to any conclusion,” said a health department official.
Locals have come forward to save their village from the unusual situation. The villagers have crowdfunded Rs 20 lakh for vaccinations. Hasan Mahmood Kasmi, who runs a Jamia Barkatul Islam seminary, has converted it to Covid care facility.