Virus kills ex-footballer, Kerala toll is 15
MALAPPURAM: Kerala reported one more death on Saturday taking the toll from the coronavirus to 15.
Ilayidath Hamza Koya, 63, a former footballer, hailing from Parappanangadi in Malappuram district, died of coronavirus-related co-morbidities while undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College hospital at Manjeri.
A two-month-old baby who was under observation at the same hospital also died on Saturday. The cause of death is yet to be confirmed.
The deceased infant had returned along with her family, belonging to Chethaloor in Palakkad, from Coimbatore recently.
The samples of the baby have been sent for testing.
According to hospital sources, Hamza Koya was also suffering from pneumonia, had acute respiratory distress syndrome and cardiac problems.
As his condition worsened he was subjected to Plasma therapy on the direction of the medical board and with the consent of his family, a medical bulletin said.
He is the first person to die in Kerala after Plasma therapy.
His family members are also being treated for coronavirus at the Manjeri Medical College hospital.
He had returned to his home town at Parappanangadi by road on May 21 along with his wife, son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren aged three months and three years.
All five of them have tested positive for COVID-19. Hamza, who is settled in Mumbai, had played for Maharashtra in Santosh Trophy matches during 1981-86.
He has also represented Western Railway (1978), Union Bank (1981), RCF (1983), Tata Sports Club (1984) and Orkay Mills (1986).
MANEKA INVITED: After police booking her for hate remarks, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the key partner of the Congress party in Kerala, has invited her to visit Malappuram.
Sayyid Sadik Ali Shihab Thangal, its district president, was reacting to her portrayal of the
Muslim-dominated district as crime-prone.
Thebharatiyajanataparty(bjp)lawmakermade the offensive statement after the alleged killing of a pregnantwildelephantintheneighbouringpalakkad district. “Please come and experience Malappuram, the epitome of communal harmony and brotherhood,” the IUML leader said in a Facebook post.
“Let’s discuss the facts and figures. Then you can understand what’s real and what’s fabricated.” The police in the district had on Friday booked Maneka on a series of complaints against her.