NEIGRIHMS hospital shut after BSF jawan tests COVID-19 positive

Shillong: A BSF jawan admitted in the Orthopedics ward at NEIGRIHMS hospital, Shillong, tested positive on July 9. He had earlier tested negative but developed fever during his stay at the hospital following which a test was carried out again, and it returned positive for COVID-19.

Since the patient was exposed to the hospital, NEIGRIHMS Director Dr P Bhattacharryya informed that the hospital would need to be decontaminated and internal tracing required to be carried out.

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In a statement issued by Dr P Bhattacharryya, it reads, “There has been an inadvertent exposure to COVID-19 in NEIGRIHMS on July 9. The patient, a resident of BSF, Umpling had a RT-PCR test done on July 1 which was negative. He was subsequently admitted in the Orthopedics ward (non COVID ward) on July 4 based on his recent report. He developed fever during his stay and on July 9 a repeat RT-PCR was done which was positive. The patient has now been shifted to the COVID ward.”

It further mentioned, “The patient had had an extensive contact footprint in the hospital. Due to this the hospital needs to be decontaminated and internal contact tracing is to be undertaken. This being a major exercise, the NEIGRIHMS hospital services including OPD and emergency services will be closed till further orders. The indoor patient care services, however, will remain operational. The state health authorities have been informed of the same.”