COVID-19 Patient-care activities in SCTIMST badly affected as doctors, hospital staff quarantined

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The patient-care activities including major surgeries in Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) have been badly affected following the quarantine of 30 doctors and other hospital staff, who were exposed to COVID-19 from their doctor colleague who was tested positive after returning from Spain and had worked amongst them.

Almost 30 doctors and heads of various departments, nurses and several other hospital staff have been quarantined, sources said here on Monday.

The doctor who had returned from Spain on March 1 tested positive to the Coronovirous on March 15. He continued to work in the hospital till developing sore throat on March 8. Though he disclosed his travel history to the hospital Superintendent, he was not advised for home quarantine. Later, he attended the duty on March 10 and 11.

On March 12, he was put on home quarantine and on March 13 he was sent to Corona clinic of the Government Medical College. From March 14, he was shifted to the isolation ward. He was tested positive on March 15.

Following his medical report came out, the authorities decided to quarantine all other doctors, nurses and other staff of SCTIMST suspecting Corona infection, affecting the normal functioning of the hospital.

Efforts are going to trace the patients who have been contacted by the 30 doctors and nurses. (AGENCIES)