2 Italy-returned residents to be tested for Covid-19; samples sent

GURUGRAM: The district health department, on Sunday, sent two more samples for the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) test to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi.

Earlier this week, the response team collected samples of four Paytm employees in Gurugram, who were in close contact with a 26-year-old employee, who had tested positive for coronavirus on March 4. The reports of all four suspected cases are awaited.

In the present case, a couple in their forties, who are residents of Sector 15, approached the health department on March 6 complaining of flu-like symptoms. Additionally, they had a travel history to Italy. On Saturday evening, the rapid response team collected samples of these two suspected cases.

Dr Jaswant Singh Punia, chief medical officer, said, “A husband, 45, and his wife, 42, reported of travelling to Italy between February 20 and March 3. On their return to India, they complained of flu-like symptoms and approached us on March 5. The husband had a cough while his wife had both a cough and fever. As such, we had to take their oral swabs and blood samples for lab tests.” The response teams said both the cases are vulnerable as they are diabetic. “Both of them are under surveillance and are on self-quarantine till test reports are received,” said the response team member.

As per the guidelines shared by the Union ministry, a suspected case is a patient with acute respiratory illness, having fever, cough, and difficulty in breathing. Also, the patient should have a travel history to an affected country. HTC