Man tested positive for Covid-19 dies in Karnataka; 42 fresh cases reported

In a second similar incident in Karnataka, an elderly man who tested positive for Covid-19 has died at a hospital in Belagavi district, a senior official in the health department said.

Harsh Gupta, Principal Secretary, Karnataka's Health and Family Welfare department, had earlier confirmed the death to PTI.

According to a health department release, the 70-year-old patient, a resident of Benakanahalli village in Belagavi, died late Wednesday night.

The patient died due to acute cardiorespiratory arrest with encephalopathy and late onset seizures associated with diabetes, hypertension, IHD and positive status.

The patient, it was further stated in the release, had an episode of seizure and became unconscious on May 26 and he was taken to a private hospital in Belagavi.

He was treated by a neuro physician there and diagnosed as suffering from focal seizures with encephalopathy and severe anaemia with thrombocytopenia, according to the health department.

As his oxygen saturation was 88 per cent, his throat swab was taken and he was found to be Covid positive as well, added the press note.

It also stated that the patient's attenders took him to Belagavi Medical College and Hospital against medical advice on May 28.

"At the hospital, he was admitted in the Respiratory Medicine department and treated as per Covid protocol. However, in spite of all efforts the patient's condition deteriorated and he died on May 28," noted the release.

On May 17, an 84-year-old-man with severe comorbidities died at a private hospital in Whitefield, Bengaluru and his Covid-19 test results came positive after his death.

Meanwhile, the health department bulletin pegged active Covid-19 cases at 148 in Karnataka as of May 29, with 42 new cases being reported on Thursday.

The day also saw a total of 513 tests being done for Covid, including 463 RTPCR and 50 RAT. Thursday's positivity rate stood at 8.18 per cent and fatality rate at 2.3 per cent.

PTI