Bhubaneswar: Amid reports of the deaths of two COVID-19-infected patients in Maharashtra, State Public Health Director Nilakantha Mishra said on Tuesday that no fresh coronavirus cases have been reported in the state. He added that if anyone is found to be positive for COVID-19, the patient’s sample would be sent for genome sequencing to determine the virus variant.
“Till now, we have not detected any fresh COVID cases. If we find such a patient, the sample will be sent for genome sequencing to determine the variant,” said State Public Health Director Nilakantha Mishra while speaking with reporters.
Health authorities in India are closely monitoring the rise in COVID-19 cases in Singapore and Hong Kong. However, official sources on Monday asserted that the current coronavirus situation in the country is under control.
“People, especially those with co-morbidities, must remain cautious and follow standard precautionary measures,” Mishra advised.
Meanwhile, Mumbai’s civic-run KEM Hospital clarified on Monday that the deaths of two patients at the facility were due to co-morbidities and not directly linked to COVID-19. The hospital urged people not to panic.
The deaths — of a 14-year-old girl and a 54-year-old woman — who were COVID-19 positive, were reported at King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital in Parel, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said in a statement.
