Niloufer staff, from professors to security personnel asked to quarantine

Hyderabad: The Superintendent of Niloufer Hospital has issued an order asking medical and academic staff to go under quarantine. It is to note that a 45-day-old baby admitted to the hospital was tested positive for coronavirus. However the hospital authorities say it is a regular procedure for doctors who work for 10 days at a stretch to quarantine themselves for 5 days.

A 45-days old baby from Narayanpet with travel history or primary /secondary contact to COVID patients has been tested COVID positive. The baby was referred to Niloufer Hospital by Mahabubnagar Government Hospital where the patient was admitted for fever. In Niloufer, the baby was tested positive and has been now shifted to Gandhi Hospital.

The order issued by the superintendent directed , All professors, assistant professors, postgraduates, house surgeons, nursing staff, para medical staff, sanitation staff and security employees quarantine themselves immediately. This is especially for those who were on duty, the night of April 15 and staff that worked three shifts on April 16 and April 17 ( at the emergency service room -ESR)

Dr C. Suresh Kumar, speaking to NewsMeter said, “We ask our staff to quarantine themselves for five days . I have issued a specific order mentioning the staff who worked on April 15^th, 16 and 17 . Also it is a regular procedure for doctors who work for 10 days at a stretch to quarantine themselves for 5 days. The baby from Naranyanpet tested COVID positive, has been shifted to Gandhi Hospital. None of our doctors are showing any symptoms, so there is no reason for special isolation of our staff.”

Another doctor from the hospital requesting anonymity said, “ Notably, all the doctors including paramedical staff and sanitation workers were equipped with PPE while treating the baby. The order is another precautionary measure taken to keep away from infection.”