Worker dies, son +ve but Corpn sees no COVID link

A domestic breeding checker (DBC worker) of the Greater Chennai Corporation died of ailments similar to the symptoms of COVID-19 on Saturday. However, the civic body claimed that his samples had tested negative for the virus though it was the officials who conducted the last rites instead of handing over the body to his family.

According to sources, the worker, a resident of Teynampet, who was employed under National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM), was admitted to a government hospital five days ago. “His son has been tested positive for coronavirus infection and is undergoing treatment. The worker was suffering from fever and cough. But the officials claim that he was not affected by COVID-19,” alleged Chennai Corporation Red Flag Union.

P Srinivasalu, general secretary of the union, added that the authorities refused to hand over the body to the family to conduct last rites.“If the worker did not die of COVID-19, they would have handed over the body to the family. Finally, they convinced the family, and it was the officials who conducted the last rites,” he said.

According to the union, more than 20 workers and their family members have been tested positive across the city. The union urged the civic body to help the workers in availing the ex-gratia announced by the State government and insurance money if they died due to the disease.