Activist Sunitha Krishnan under observation for suspected coronavirus
As the novel coronavirus spreads its tentacles across the world, it has now reached Telangana with a male patient being tested positive in Hyderabad on Monday. Meanwhile, the founder of Prajwala, an NGO which works against human trafficking, Sunitha Krishnan, was also admitted to the Gandhi Hospital in the state capital for suspected coronavirus.
As India reported its fifth case of coronavirus from Telangana, social activist Sunitha Krishnan was on Monday (March 2) admitted to the Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad for a suspected case of the COVID-19.
The founder of Prajwala, an NGO which works against human trafficking, Krishnan had returned from Bangkok and volunteered for a check-up after developing cough and mild fever.
“She has returned from Bangkok recently and has volunteered for check-up after she developed cough. As of now, her condition is stable and is being monitored closely,” sources from the hospital said.
The news comes on a day when another male patient was tested positive in Telangana.
According to official sources from the state-run Gandhi Hospital, where the COVID-19 infected patient is admitted, the man has a history of travelling to Dubai. Though his condition is stable, he is still undergoing the symptomatic treatment.
The district surveillance teams are in the process of contacting and isolating his close relatives. The identity of the patient has not been revealed.
Related news: One case of coronavirus confirmed in Delhi and Telangana each
Meanwhile, Krishnan in her tweet clarified that she is being treated in the isolation ward as she just returned from Bangkok and that she is awaiting the results of the tests.
“Can I make it very very clear that I am admitted in the isolation ward of Gandhi Hospital for suspected coronavirus infection as I have just come back from Bangkok with a mild cough. The tests have been done & we are awaiting the results. Any other news is fake!!!” she tweeted.
Can I make it very very clear that I am admitted in the isolation ward of Gandhi Hospital for suspected coronavirus infection as I have just come back from Bangkok with a mild cough. The tests have been done & we are awaiting the results. Any other news is fake!!!
— sunitha krishnan (@sunita_krishnan) March 2, 2020
In another tweet, she alleged that the hospital authorities were taking too much time to start the testing process.
“So going to enjoy hospitality at Gandhi Hospital for two days as admitted in the isolation ward suspected coronavirus. They have not started the tests yet (1.30 hrs since I arrived).I believe the results make take 48hrs. At this pace, I have a feeling I am might be here sometime,” she tweeted.
So going to enjoy hospitality at Gandhi Hospital for two days as admitted in the isolation ward suspected coronavirus. They have not started the tests yet( 1.30 hrs since I arrived).I believe the results make take 48hrs. At this pace, I have a feeling I am might be here sometime
— sunitha krishnan (@sunita_krishnan) March 2, 2020
“We have taken her test samples. The test reports would be out tomorrow,” Dr Shravan Kumar, Gandhi Hospital, Superintendent told The News Minute.
Another positive case of the COVID-19 took the headlines from Delhi on Monday. Though the details of the patients have not been released, he has travel history from Italy, the Union Health Ministry said.
Related news: Kerala fishers on rough seas as coronavirus outbreak hits exports
Health Minister Harsh Vardhan in a press meet announced the helpline number for coronavirus 011-23978046 and the email ncov2019@gmail.com.
Till now, the Gandhi Hospital has had 102 suspected coronavirus cases but the test samples were allegedly taken only from 83 patients, with all of them tested negative.
Earlier, samples were being sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for testing. However, as the influx of patients grew, Telangana arranged medical kits in Gandhi Hospital to carry out tests, reported The News Minute.
With the new deaths, the global coronavirus death toll passed 3,000, reported news agency AFP. The new fatalities were reported in the Hubei province of China, the National Health Commission said, bringing the overall toll in mainland China to 2,912.
