Second death reported due to Coronavirus, this time in Delhi

New Delhi:A Coronavirus-infected patient passed away here on Friday, due to diabetes and hypertension.A 68-year-old woman, who had tested positive for COVID-19 and was admitted in Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital has passed away, a Health Ministry official said here.

"She had history of contact with a positive case (her son who had travel history to Switzerland and Italy between February 5 to 22, 2020). The son had returned back to India on February 23, 2020. 

''He was initially asymptomatic, but developed fever and cough after one day and reported to the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital on March 7, 2020. As per the protocol, the family was screened and since he and his mother had fever and cough, both were admitted", the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry further said that the deceased was a known case of diabetes and hypertension. Her sample was collected on March 8. Her condition worsened a day after with the development of pneumonia and she was shifted to the intensive care unit. ''Her sample also tested positive for COVID19,'' the ministry said.

Since March 9, she was having respiratory fluctuations and was provided ventilator support. 

''However, due to comorbid conditions, she died on March 13, 2020 at RML Hospital, Delhi, as confirmed by the treating Physician and Medical Superintendent", the statement added.

The ministry noted that all precautionary measures, as per the protocol, including screening and  quarantine of the contacts, have already been taken up and their status is being monitored.

This is the second death of a COVID-19 infected person in the past 48 hours. On Thursday, Coronavirus claimed it's first victim in the country, as a 76-year-old man from Kalaburagi, who had breathed his last on Wednesday, was confirmed by the authorities to have died due to COVID-19.(UNI)