Man back from Abu Dhabi tests positive in Tirunelveli

Tirunelveli Collector Shilpa Prabhakar Satish, when contacted on Monday, said that the patient returned from Abu Dhabi on March 17 and is currently being treated in the isolation ward of the hospital. He was tested positive on Sunday.

Tirunelveli Deputy Director of Health Services Varadharajan said that the condition of the patient is stable now.

According to sources, Nagarajan, along with some others from his native village, had already undergone a screening on arrival at the Madurai airport. The medical team, after screening, had declared that he showed no symptoms of COVID-19. Recently, during the incubation period, he developed positive symptoms for the novel coronavirus. This is the first case reported in the district. The patient would be provided with medical care until the swab turns negative for two or three times, the sources said.

The district administration has made adequate precautionary measures to prevent any outbreak of COVID-19 with the sufficient staff from the Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, the Collector said.

The administration has advised the kin and those who accompanied him to be under home quarantine. Moreover, three migrant labourers from West Bengal showing symptoms of COIVD-19 in Thoothukudi district have been taken to Tirunelveli Government Medical College Hospital for treatment.

The migrant labourers were engaged in track-laying works in Kadambur-Vanchi Maniyachi section. Besides, nine other migrant labourers with fever have also been isolated. They were among 22 migrant labourers from West Bengal, the sources said.