Four patients who were suspected to be infected with coronavirus and under treatment at a private nursing home at Kawakhali here died since Sunday night.
Darjeeling district health officials, however, confirmed on Monday late evening that all of them had been tested negative for Covid-19, much to the relief of Siliguri residents. They have died because of other ailments, said sources.
Of the four, two are from Siliguri — South Ambedkar Colony in ward 1 and Sukantapally in ward 32.
Both of them were taken to Siliguri district hospital for having respiratory problems and other suspected symptoms of coronavirus on Saturday. They were referred to Desun Hospital for suspected Covid-19 patients. On Sunday night, both demised.
Two others who have died are from other districts of north Bengal. One is from a tea estate in the Matialli block of Jalpaiguri, while the other is from Gaisal in North Dinajpur.
These patients were brought to the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital and were sent to Desun. The one from Matialli died on Sunday while the other patient demised on Monday.
“Swab samples of all the four patients were collected and tested at the lab in the NBMCH. All of them have been tested negative. Their bodies will be handed over to the families as soon as possible,” said Praloy Acharya, the chief medical officer of health of Darjeeling.
Sources have said as of now, there are 26 patients at Desun with suspected symptoms. Six — who have been tested corona positive – are at Chhang’s Super Specialty Hospital at Himachal Bihar here.