Knp man dies untested, youth’s sample taken after 4 days

KANPUR: A 58-year-old man died untested for Covid-19 at his home in Kanpur’s Barra area on Tuesday last, a week after he developed flu-like symptoms, which caused respiratory problems, his family members and a local corporator alleged.

In the same area, a family threw a youth out, asking him to get tested for Covid-19 on Sunday last after he complained of dry cough, fever and chills. The youth then spent three days and nights on the Lala Lajpat Rai (LLR) Hospital campus, before police intervention led to his test being conducted on the fourth day.

As for the 58-year-old man, his family members said they went to every possible place for his test but in vain.

“They approached me after failing to get any response from anywhere. I spoke to the chief medical officer for nine minutes and two seconds, explaining to him the condition and symptoms. I registered a complaint with the Kanpur Municipal control room and then informed the district magistrate office for the test,” said Jitendra Sachan, the local corporator.

“No one came, not even a call came. He died and we don’t know whether he was positive or negative for the coronavirus,” Sachan said, adding he’s been trying for tests of other family members of the 58-yearold man.

The deceased patient’s son said their efforts to get medical assistance brought rebuke from doctors and nursing homes, which refused to admit him or impart medical treatment.

“We were ready to pay for the Covid test but that was not arranged by these nursing homes,” he said after cremating his father.

Responding to the allegations, chief medical officer Dr Ashok Shukla said he was not aware of the request made to him about the Covid-19 test.

“It is possible that the family might have called some other number. If someone makes a

RESPONDING TO THE ALLEGATIONS, CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER DR ASHOK SHUKLA SAID HE WAS NOT AWARE OF THE REQUEST MADE TO HIM ABOUT THE COVID-19 TEST.

request, why would not it be taken, the health department is making sure that in case someone asks, the test is done,” he added.

In the meantime, the swab samples of the youth from Barra were taken after four days following the Barra police’s intervention.

“I spent three days and nights, asking every passing doctor to help me with the test,” said the youth who still has not been allowed inside the house. Last week, he noticed he had dry cough and fever. He was experiencing chills.

He saw a local doctor, but the fever became high. His family members grew suspicious and asked him to go for a Covid test. He went to LLR hospital from Barra but came back.

Arguments followed when the family learnt the test hadn’t been done.

He was told he could not enter the house unless he tested negative. The harried youth again went to LLR Hospital. He claimed he spent three days in the open for the test.

“I slept on the floor and benches. I borrowed food at night as there were few shops serving food. Those that were functional were closing early,” he said.

A friend of his approached corporator Arpit Kumar, who first informed the authorities about the need for a test.

When nothing worked, Arpit Kumar took up the issue with the Barra police.

Barra station house officer Ranjit Rai said he had to send a memo to the health department, seeking the youth’s immediate test. The test was then conducted.