Woman tests COVID-19 positive after death in Maha's Wardha

Wardha (Maha), May 10 () A 35-year-old woman, whodied in Wardha district of Maharashtra on Friday, testedCOVID-19 positive on Sunday, officials said.

The test results of the woman's swab samples, whichwere received on Sunday, confirmed that she was coronaviruspositive, they said.

As Wardha district was a green zone with not a singlecase of coronavirus infection found so far, the woman's deathhas shocked the residents of Hiwara Tanda village in Arvitahsil, where she was from.

"The woman was initially admitted to a privatehospital in Arvi on May 8 morning, after she suffered fromasthma. She was later referred to sub-district hospital inArvi. She was then in the process of being shifted to VinobaBhave rural hospital, Sawangi. However, she died beforereaching the hospital," civil surgeon, P Madavi, said.

Her swab sample was taken at that hospital, Madaviadded.

"Her test reports received on Sunday confirmed thatshe was COVID-19 positive. This is the first coronavirus casein the district," the civil surgeon said.

Sub-divisional officer, Harish Dharmik, said, "Thepatient did not have history of foreign travel or traveloutside the district. We are trying to find her and her familymembers' social contacts. We will quarantine all of them. Theyare being traced."

After the woman tested positive, the administrationhas sealed seven villages located within three km area ofHiwara Tanda village, he said.

"Villages like Jamkhuta, Rajni, Harashi, Belhara,Belhara Tanda, Thar, Pachod have been closed for traffic.Restrictions have also been imposed in Wadhona, Bedhona,Chincholi (Dange) villages," Dharmik said.

District collector Vivek Bhimanwar issued an order toclose the shops selling non-essential items, otherestablishments and industries for two days starting Monday.

The administration had given some relaxation to openshops and other establishments from 7 am to 2 pm from May 5.

Meanwhile, a 64-year-old patient from Washim district,who was admitted to Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital two days agofor treatment of pneumonia, has also tested positive forcoronavirus, another official said. CORNP NP