Kerala recorded the first death of a coronavirus patient when a 69-year-old man died at the government medical college hospital in Ernakulam on Saturday.
A heart patient with other related health issues, the native of Mattanchery in Kochi was described as a “high risk” patient.
His wife, who is also infected with the virus, and daughter were allowed to see the body only through live video.
The patient had returned from Dubai on April 16, was admitted to hospital on April 22 and later tested positive for coronavirus. Subsequently his wife and taxi driver were placed under quarantine. The woman later tested positive.
“He was admitted on March 22 with severe pneumonia. A heart patient with high blood pressure, he had earlier undergone a bypass surgery,” said a note from Dr Fathahuddin, the nodal officer from the medical college.
Health minister K.K. Shailaja said the hospital did its best to save him. She said four other corona positive patients were in a similar condition.