COVID-19: Police, medical staff attacked while collecting samples in Bihar

In another shocking incident, police and healthcare staff who went to collect blood samples of symptomatic patients, have allegedly been attacked by residents of Munger town in Bihar on Thursday (April 2).

The quick response team (QRT), comprising policemen and medical personnel, were attacked by throwing stones when they were on duty, said SHO of Qasim Bazar police station Shailesh Kumar. The incident left a police jeep damaged.

According to reports, Munger has reported eight COVID-19 cases, the highest in the state. Bihar has reported 24 COVID-19 cases so far.

The deadly virus is said to have spread here from a 38-year-old man who returned from Qatar a month ago. He died at AIIMS, Patna, while undergoing treatment for renal failure, a day before his test results confirmed that he had contracted the virus.

Related news | People throw stones at healthcare workers on duty in Indore

One of his relatives in Lakhisarai and three persons associated with a private hospital in the state capital where he was briefly admitted before being referred to AIIMS, Patna, have also tested positive.

The state government has intensified the process of collection and testing of samples. All those who returned to Bihar from abroad by mid-March or who have come from other parts of the country are being tested, irrespective of whether or not they are having any symptoms.

Earlier today, the accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers, who were tasked with identifying symptomatic patients and spread awareness about COVID-19, were allegedly abused and chased away by a group of locals in Bengaluru’s Byatrayanapura.

In a similar incident, a mob in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore attacked the healthcare staff on duty on Wednesday (April 1). The healthcare team which consisted of five persons including three doctors were pelted with stones in Indore’s Tat Patti Bakhal area.