The family of a Covid-19 positive patient who died recently has refused to undergo testing for the virus.
As per the order passed declaring the entire residence of Jngun Marbaniang located at Mawpat-Circle III as containment area, it is learnt that the immediate family members of the deceased, that included seven high risk primary contacts have refused to undergo testing for Covid-19.
“The family members are not willing to accept that the deceased person was a Covid-19 positive and in view of the outright refusal, without which the Covid status of the family members is unknown, there is every apprehension that it could lead to spreading of infection and amount to endangering the health of the public at large, if the family members are able to move freely,” the East Khasi Hills district magistrate in the order said.
However, the Medical Officer in-charge has instructed the family members to undergo testing, and concerted efforts have been made by all concerned including the local Dorbar Shnong to sensitize and convince the family to undergo testing, the order added.
The entire residence has been declared containment till the Medical Officer in-charge opines that the probable/suspect of Covid-19 positive cases in the household have recovered or are no longer a risk or till the persons undergo testing, the district magistrate said.
It may be mentioned that the family of Welldoneboy Marbaniang, a 15-year-old who purportedly died of Covid-19 on September 10, has questioned whether the teenager was truly positive for the virus.
Marbaniang was suffering from undifferentiated febrile illness with acute respiratory distress syndrome and septic shock but his Covid test report only came back after he died.
According to the family, the hospital did not inform them of Marbaniang’s positive result when his body was released to them.
The family said that only after the funeral on September 11 that they were informed by health workers that the deceased was tested positive for Covid-19.
