Mumbai: Hospital staffer tests positive for coronavirus, others point to discrimination

The female cleaner who tested positive is in her thirties. The Titwala resident had to sleep in ward 13, meant for children suffering from other illnesses, for three days because she could not go home. When she developed cough and cold, her nasal swab was taken. On Tuesday she was shifted to a side room in female ward after she tested positive. Close contacts of the cleaner have been quarantined.

Explained | Rate of COVID-19 spread in India, world

Her husband, who works in the dairy industry, son and daughter are currently in their native village. “We last received training on infection control during H1N1 outbreak. It is scary to handle dead bodies,” a hospital staffer said, adding that they are made to do double shifts for 16 hours due to the outbreak. “I fell ill for the last two days and could not come. They said my salary will be deducted. But for extra shift we are not given any extra money,” he said.

Another staffer said they are scared to go home to their family from the hospital. “If we get protective gear like doctors even we would feel reassured,” he said.

The hospital’s superintendent Dr Chandrakant Pawar did not respond to calls. The state health department said they have not been notified about the case yet.

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