Coronavirus in Maharashtra: Wockhardt Hospital declared containment zone, sealed after 3 doctors, 26 nurses test positive

Further, in a bid to prevent the spread of the infection, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has declared the hospital as the containment zone and the facility has been sealed once all the other present there, test for the virus.

BMC health officials gave a confirmation on the same to PTI and stated, "No one is allowed to enter or exit the private hospital." A probe has also been ordered to investigate the unprecedented spike in the number of cases and rapid spread of COVID-19 at the Hospital.

According to recent media reports, more than 250 patients and nurses are being tested. The OPD and emergency services have been suspended at the health facility.

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TOI adds that a 70-year-old heart attack patient, who is said to be the source of the infection, came positive on March 27. Two nurses who had attended to the patient had later tested positive for COVID 19. Two of the treating doctors further contracted the virus and are currently admitted in SevenHills and one in SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim.

Wockhardt staff have alleged that the infection spread rapidly as the hospital didn't quarantine the colleagues and roommates of the infected nurses. The United Nurses' Association reportedly stated that they were not tested or removed from shifts till symptoms emerged.

The union further alleged that the nurses were not given Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs) despite attending to suspected coronavirus patients, reports TOI.

Speaking to the daily about the shocking incidence of so many cases erupting at such renowned medical facility in one go, Additional municipal commissioner Suresh Kakani informed that a team has been set up under the executive health officer to probe how the infection spread among so many in a hospital setting. "It is unfortunate that such a big cluster of cases have come from a medical facility. They should have taken precautions," he added to his statement.

Staff members informed HT that the hospital did not quarantine the nurses and forced them to work resulting in the spread of the virus to other staff members.

While recounting the alleged harassment, a nurse alleged when the BMC came for inspection on April 1, few of the nurses informed them about their symptoms but they were reprimanded by the senior officers from the hospital.

Earlier, Medical Dialogues had reported that the virus had claimed the life of a senior surgeon-cum-urologist while 2 other doctors were tested positive for the disease. Dr Bahrainwala, an 85-year-old doctor associated with Saifee Hospital as a visiting faculty; died of coronavirus early on March 26 even as his 50-year-old cardiac surgeon son, who was operating on patients till a day before, was said to have contracted the infection.

Read Also: Coronavirus in Maharashtra: Senior Surgeon succumbs, 2 other doctors including cardiac surgeon test positive