Tamil Nadu health minister Dr C Vijaya Bhaskar said early on Wednesday a 54-year-old man, who had not travelled abroad, died in a hospital after contracting the coronavirus disease, Covid-19.
The patient was admitted at Rajaji Hospital in Madurai and had a history of prolonged illness with steroid-dependent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD, uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension, Vijayabaskar said.
“#update: Despite our best efforts, the #COVID19 +ve Pt at MDU, #RajajiHospital, passed away few minutes back. He had a medical history of prolonged illness with steroid dependent COPD, uncontrolled Diabetes with Hypertension.@MoHFW_INDIA @CMOTamilNadu (sic),” he tweeted.
Madurai district collector TG Vinay said the man had shown symptoms of Covid-19, later tested positive and was on a ventilator for the last two day.
The death of the man with no travel history had triggered panic at the hospital.
But the minister said the man had been in contact with a group of Thai nationals who came for a religious pilgrimage. Later, two of these pilgrims were tested positive and quarantined.
The minister had said earlier that three new cases of Covid-19 disease were reported in the state and that the patients have been kept in isolation.
“#coronaupdate: 3 new cases for #covid19 in Chennai. 65Y M return from New Zealand at Pvt.Hosp, 55Y F Saidapet at #KMC. 25Y M return from London at #RGGH. Patients are in isolation & under treatment.@MoHFW_INDIA @CMOTamilNadu (sic),” Vijayabaskar tweeted.
Tamil Nadu, like Kerala, was one of the first states to take drastic measures to control the spread of the deadly virus. It has reported at least 15 Covid-19 cases till date.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had earlier reported 10 coronavirus-related deaths in India and about 536 confirmed cases across the country.
Prime Minister announced a complete lockdown for three weeks on Tuesday evening across the country as the number of Covid-19 cases went beyond 530. .
