Sharmili Mallick

Cuttack: An Irish national suspected to be infected with Coronavirus, who reportedly went missing from SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack was found at a hotel in Bhubaneswar today.

As per reports, the Irish man was suspected of being infected with the Coronavirus after he underwent screening at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar yesterday.

He was immediately rushed to Capital Hospital and later referred to SCB Hospital for detailed diagnosis. However, the SCB authorities claimed that the Irish national went missing from the hospital even before being admitted to the hospital. Later, a complaint in this regard was lodged at Mangalabag Police Station yesterday.

Issuing a statement in this regard, SCB Emergency Officer Bhubanananda Maharana said, “A foreign national along with his colleague had come from Capital Hospital to SCB Hospital at around 8.30 PM yesterday. The foreigner’s colleague consulted the doctors at pulmonary medicine department following which he was asked to immediately admit the Irish man for diagnosis. Accordingly, the attendant went downstairs to bring the Irish national but when they did not return for long, the doctors intimated the matter to concerned authorities. Later, a complaint was also lodged at the police station.”

On the other hand, Capital Hospital Director Ashok Patnaik refuted the reports of the Irish national’s escapade and clarified he refused to get admitted in SCB and returned back to Bhubaneswar.

Also Read: Coronavirus Scare: 4 Persons Kept In Isolation In Odisha

“The man was suffering from cold and had come to Capital Hospital for consultation. We accordingly referred him to Capital Hospital. I suppose when the SCB doctors asked him to get admitted for treatment, he might have become scared and came back to his hotel without informing the hospital authorities,” stated Patnaik.

“His samples will be brought for tests and will also examine the people who came with his contact in these days,” added the Capital Hospital Director.

On the other hand, the swab samples of the suspected Coronavirus-infected Uttar Pradesh-based couple, who reached Paradip on March 1 have been tested negative. The couple was working as crew members in a ship named Chemstar Stellar and it had travelled through several parts of China and Singapore.

Meanwhile, Health Department director, Ajit Mohanty on Thursday informed that at present, four Coronavirus suspects are undergoing treatment in special isolation wards of different hospitals across the State and their swab and other samples have been sent for tests.

Also Read: Odisha Govt Advisory To Keep Coronavirus At Bay

Special advisories have been issued for schools, ports and airports as a precautionary measure to combat Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Odisha. Special screening of passengers is being conducted at all airports of the State.

The Ministry of Shipping has also taken stock of the Coronavirus situation with the authorities of Dhamara, Gopalpur and Paradip ports and State government officials through video-conferencing yesterday.

School and Mass Education Department too has issued an advisory asking school teachers to be alert for any possible symptoms among students like coughing, fever or difficulty in breathing and inform the parents to get them checked.

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