Karnataka Man, Who Died On Tuesday, Had Coronavirus: State Government

A 76-year-old Karnataka man, who died on Tuesday, has become India's first COVID-19 fatality, confirmed state government. It has been confirmed after his samples, taken earlier, were confirmed of having the virus. State Health Minister B Sriramulu in a tweet late Thursday said the necessary contact tracing, isolation and other measures as per protocol were being taken. "The 76-year-old man from Kalbauragi who passed away & was a suspected #COVID19 patient has been Confirmed for #COVID19. The necessary contact tracing, isolation and other measures as per protocol are being carried out," he said.

The man, who recently returned from Saudi Arabia, had died on Tuesday night. The man was identified as Mohammed Hussain Siddiqui. Siddiqui had recently returned from Saudi Arabia, where he had gone on a pilgrimage, they said.

Officials said the patient had severe co-morbidities such as the history of hypertension, diabetes and asthma and appendicitis.

State Joint Director (Communicable Diseases) BG Prakash Kumar said all protocols were followed for disposal of the body.

"The body is disinfectants completely and disposed of as per the Government of India guidelines," he added when asked to elaborate on the protocols.

He said the Telangana government has also been informed as the man had gone to a private hospital there earlier.

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While announcing the death of the man, the authorities had said the exact cause of his death was being ascertained.

Sriramulu had on Wednesday had said there was no confirmation that the death was due to coronavirus and test reports of his samples were awaited.

He said the person had gone to Saudi Arabia in January end and came back on February 29. On his return, he was down with fever and took treatment at a private hospital. Later, on the advice of doctors or family, he had gone to Hyderabad, the minister had said.

With PTI Inputs