The main government hospital, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) has revealed that a doctor and a nurse employed at the hospital have tested positive for COVID-19.
Speaking at a press conference held at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) on Saturday, IGMH's Medical Director Dr. Ali Nazeem said a doctor and a nurse employed at the hospital were infected with the virus, and that it is believed they contracted the virus from the community and not from their work environment.
However, 16 nurses working at the hospital linked to a recent positive case are currently quarantined, said the doctor.
"We are concerned that 16 nurses from the same ward are in isolation. Under some circumstances, we are forced to bring changes to our current mechanisms to make up for the loss," said Dr. Nazeem.
Responding to claims that a pregnant woman who was recently hospitalised at the hospital got infected with the virus in the hospital environment, Dr. Nazeem said the patient tested positive for the virus three days after she was hospitalised, and is unlikely to have contracted the virus from the hospital.
"However, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) will investigate the matter further to confirm if the infection reached the patient from the hospital environment," said Dr. Nazeem.
The doctor added that the hospital treats every person who presents themselves at the hospital for emergency treatment as a potential COVID-19 patient, and all patients are approached by health care workers dressed in PPE gear.
