Alcoholic man with comorbidities dies of Covid-19 in Puducherry

PUDUCHERRY: The Union territory of Puducherry reported a Covid-19 death after about eight months.

Director (health and family welfare services) Dr G Sriramalu said a 58-year-old man with comorbidities was admitted to TB and Chest Diseases Hospital in Gorimedu on December 19 with symptoms of Covid-19 infection. His swab samples were collected for Covid-19 tests on December 25. The test results returned positive for Covid-19 infection on Tuesday. The patient died on Wednesday.

"A chronic alcoholic with comorbidities was admitted with Covid-19 symptoms. He tested positive for Covid-19 infection. The patient with hyponatremia has other comorbidities. He had a broken femur too. His health condition deteriorated, and he died on Wednesday," said Dr Sriramalu.

The directorate of health and family welfare services said presently six patients, who tested positive for Covid-19 infection, are under home isolation and treatment. "There are no Covid-19 patients admitted to any government hospitals. Six Covid-19 patients are under home isolation and treatment," said Sriramalu.

The directorate has proposed to increase the number of Covid-19 tests. "Only one out of 200 samples tested on Tuesday returned positive for Covid-19 infection," said Sriramalu.

A 35-year-old woman from Karaikal with a brain tumour and pituitary adenoma succumbed to Covid in Jawaharlal Institute of Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) in April this year. This was the last Covid death in the UT before the death of the 58-year-old man on Wednesday.