Punjab’s death toll reaches 19 as 63-year-old Rajpura woman succumbs to Covid-19

The victim’s two sons and their wives have also tested positive and are undergoing treatment at a government hospital in Patiala

A 63-year-old woman succumbed to coronavirus disease in the isolation ward of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) here on Monday, taking the Covid-19 death toll in Punjab to 19.

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The woman, a resident of Rajpura, had tested positive on April 16, following which she was admitted to the intensive care unit of GMCH.

She was the first Covid-19 case reported from Rajpura, which is now a hotspot with 42 positive cases.

Patiala civil surgeon Dr Harish Malhotra said the woman was symptomatic at the time she was tested positive for Covid-19.

“She had a history of diabetes, hypertension and respiratory issues. She was admitted in a serious condition and was also put on ventilator support for a few days,” Dr Malhotra said.

Two of her sons and their wives have also tested positive and are currently admitted in the isolation ward of GMCH here.

FAMILY BIDS FAREWELL THROUGH VIDEO CALL

Two of the victim’s sons, a daughter-in-law and one other member are presently admitted in the isolation ward of the Government Medical College after they were tested positive for the virus on April 18.

CREMATORIUM CARETAKER FLEES, REFUSES TO TOUCH THE BODY

Meanwhile, the health department sent its team to safely transport the body to cremation ground at Rajpura. A district administration team, led by joint director public relations department Ishwinder Singh Grewal, oversaw the process to ensure protocol is followed.

Fearing to catch the infection from the body, a caretaker of the crematorium fled. “He was brought back but he refused to even touch the body,” Grewal said.

The deceased’s nephew was allowed to make video call to her immediate family.