After doc, 2 DSCI nursing staff +ve
A doctor and two nursing staff working at the Delhi State Cancer Institute (DSCI) have tested positive for coronavirus. The test of the two nursing staff was confirmed for coronavirus on late Thursday night, just two days after a doctor from the preventive oncology department of the hospital tested positive for the infection.
According to sources, the report of the two nursing staff — one male and one female, both in their 40s — came back positive among the samples of around 19 staff members that were sent for testing on suspicion of coming in direct contact with the doctor.
The out-patient department (OPD), which had been shut on April 1 to sanitise the premises, will remain closed to ensure patients coming in do not get the disease. After the two nursing staff tested positive, the hospital is looking at testing all its symptomatic staff members. The hospital is also monitoring the 48 patients admitted to its wards for any symptoms of Covid19.
“Now, after two more staff tested positive, we are looking at getting all other staff members — who might be symptomatic — tested,” said a source.
A 35-year-old doctor from DSCI had tested positive, on Tuesday, and was admitted to Baba Saheb Ambedkar hospital, near his house. His wife and child were admitted to Lok Nayak hospital on suspicion of having the infection. It is, however, unclear from where the doctor got the infection.
“He has no history of foreign travel or treating any Covid-19 patient. So, the source of the infection is still a question mark. His brother and sister-in-law did travel to UK in February, but they haven’t tested positive for the infection,” said an official from the health department.
However, medical emergency services at Lok Nayak hospital will continue from the ground floor of the general emergency wing and all obstetrics and gynaecology services will be from the old Gynaecology Block, the order said.
GB Pant Hospital will continue to provide emergency services to neurology and cardiology patients and will also manage the cardio and neuro patients referred from Lok Nayak hospital.