Srinagar, July 28 (KNO): In what appears to be a sheer negligence on part of hospital authorities, a patient from Srinagar was declared COVID-19 positive a day after her death at Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital.
Sources informed the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a patient from Gurgari Mohalla area of Zainakadal in Srinagar died on Sunday morning and was declared COVID-19 positive on Monday evening.
However, they said the family was allowed to take the body for the last rites without even waiting for the fresh COVID-19 test report.
The patient’s son told KNO that her mother was admitted in the hospital after she complained of respiratory issues and fever. “She was kept in COVID-19 designated isolation ward after doctors stated that she is suffering from bilateral Pneumonia,” he said.
“Her sample for COVID-19 was taken, but the report was inconclusive following which her swab was taken again on July 25 afternoon,” he said, adding that on Sunday morning, the patient breathed her last and they were allowed to take the body home for last rites.
He said on Sunday afternoon, she was laid to rest at Malkha Srinagar, adding that number of her relatives and neighbours participated in her funeral.
On Monday evening, they received the fresh COVID-19 report of her mother wherein she was declared positive.
He questioned how the attendants were asked to take the body when the COVID report was still pending, adding that the ‘negligence’ of the authorities have put family, relatives and neighbors in trouble.
However, he said after receiving the fresh test report, none from the health department have so far visited them for taking necessary steps.
Meanwhile, Influenza expert, Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan told KNO that not adhering to the guidelines may have infected all the family members of the deceased. “This is highly irresponsible and needs to be probed. The body should have been kept in GMC mortuary till COVID-19 test results would have come,” he said.
Medical Superintendent SMHS, Dr. Nazir Ahmad Choudary said that he will investigate the matter—(KNO)