On Wednesday, the 70-year-old man who died and has been tested positive of coronavirus violated the protocols of the health authorities to stay in quarantine after his trip to Germany and Italy.
As per a media report, the authorities had tracked 745 people, including the 70-year-old, with travel history in Nawanshahr district. As per the protocol, people with travel history are placed under a mandatory 14-day quarantine.
After coming back to India on March 7, he visited Anandpur Sahib and returned to his village on March 15. He also visited Jalandhar and Phagwara on March 17 for health complications. However, the Health Department was unaware of his movement.
It was only on March 18 that he reported to Civil Hospital, Banga.
The village sarpanch said, “The 70-year-old visited Anandpur Sahib after his return. I met him briefly twice. On March 17, he along with others had also gone to Jalandhar and Phagwara, but were sent back due to their travel history. Later, they approached the Banga hospital.”
Civil Hospital staff said the family, which wanted to take away his body, only reluctantly agreed to leave the body for sampling.
Nawanshahr Civil Surgeon Dr Rajinder Bhatia said, “The man skipped quarantine on his own and the Health Department was unaware that he was leaving his house. The department was kept in the dark about his movement. As many as 56 people have been placed in quarantine and 19 direct contacts are also under surveillance. We shall also be taking samples of his family.”
