Medico contracts virus from MRI scanner in Kachiguda; infects childhood friend
By Newsmeter Network Published on 11 Jun 2020 8:08 AM GMT
Hyderabad: Two childhood friends, both medicos, were admitted to Gandhi Hospital, Secunderabad, after they were diagnosed with Covid-19.
Even as the source of the virus is yet to be identified, the duo concluded that it would have spread through a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine in a private hospital.
Umang (name changed) is a PG doctor from Osmania Medical College, which has now turned a hotspot for Covid-19 . Umang, a hosteller at OMC, is preparing for his examination beginning June 20 when his childhood friend Satish (name changed), an MBBS student, visited him at the end of May.
Satish came to Hyderabad for a full-body check-up as he was suffering from acute back pain. The young medical student, on May 29, approached a private hospital in Kachiguda where he underwent an MRI scan.
Speaking to NewsMeter, Umang said, “ Doctors via online consultation advised Satish to get a scan of his spine. Though he visited the hospital in the morning, he had wait till post lunch as there was a big queue. For an MRI scan, one needs to spend longer time when compared to a CT or an X-ray. Over 11 patients were screened before Satish.”
He further added, “The following day Satish complained of mild fever and headache. Guessing no threat, he was given medicine but when the temperature did not subside, he underwent a test at King Koti hospital where he tested positive for Covid-19. Except for fever, he had no running nose, cough, cold or sore throat.”
The virus spread to the PG doctor, who tested positive on June 1. He is among the first victim in OMC. The Covid-19 toll in the government-run medical college has touched 50, a majority of them are PG doctors serving at different hospitals including King Koti and Petlaburj Maternity hospital.
However, what is worrisome, is the two childhood friends were infected days before they could know that they were positive for Covid-19. One is preparing for his PG entrance exam while another is in his graduation.
