First COVID-19 death in Andhra Pradesh, total +Ve cases increases to 162

Vijayawada: The Coronavirus positive cases in Andhra Pradesh has increased by one in last 12 hours on April 3,touching an overall 162, while two Covid-19 patients recovered and were discharged. The new positive case reported in Vizag city, taking the number to 15 in Vizag.

Andhra Pradesh recorded its first Covid-19 death. A 55-year-old man, who was admitted to Government General Hospital, Vijayawada on March 30, died at around 12.30 am, a hour after he was put on medication. The decease was suffering from hypertension, diabetic and cardiac related problems, said the statement issued by the Andhra Pradesh government.

According to the officials, the deceased's son had visited Delhi recently. An source confirmed that he was part of the Tablighi Jamaat Congregation.

To note, the man died on March 30, however the government declared the Covid-19 death on April 3 following the reports.

The officials of the Medical and Family Welfare Department said, that, the 55-year-old-man’s son returned to Vijayawada from Delhi via a flight on March 17, and he was tested Covid-19 positive on March 31. The 55-year-old man might have acquired the coronavirus from his son. The deceased was a resident of Kummaripalem area in Vijayawada city. The officials have identified all the 29 contact persons of the deceased and they were quarantined.

The Andhra Pradesh government, have sent the details of the flight number and seat number of the deceased’s son who travelled to the union government, in order to identify the co-passengers and take preventive measures to curtail the spread the virus.

'There is no delay in declaring the death as the government needs to wait for reports' added an official with the AP government.