Doctor who tested positive earlier tests negative

The throat swab sample of a PHC doctor in Mudigere who was tested positive in the past has tested negative for Covid-19. It was tested six times. It was wrongly tested positive for Covid-19 on May 19, clarified Deputy Commissioner Dr Bagadi Gautham.

The doctor's (P 1295) throat swab was tested again in Shivamogga and Hassan labs where it was tested negative. All the 28 close contacts of the doctor have also tested negative.

The DC said that considering the case as suspicious, the sample was tested at the district hospital on May 20, which turned negative to Covid-19. After 24 hours, once again, a sample was collected and tested at the district hospital, which too turned negative. Later, the samples were sent to labs in Shivamogga and Hassan and the result was negative. Once again, the samples have been sent to Bengaluru for testing.

Considering it a serious issue, the matter has already been brought to the notice of the state government. The throat swab sample of the doctor was tested at NIMHANS which confirmed Covid-19. The same sample was tested at NIV in Bengaluru twice, and it tested negative, he explained.

The doctor has been discharged from the hospital. The doctor need not remain in quarantine and can report for duty, said the DC.

A total of 485 primary contacts and 961 secondary contacts of the doctor were quarantined after the throat swab of the doctor tested positive. All the contacts who have been quarantined have been sent home from quarantine centres, added the DC.

Samples to be sent again

The DC said that throat swab sample of a Covid-19 positive pregnant woman from Tarikere will be sent again for testing. The samples of all the primary contacts of the woman have tested negative.

Further, he said Truenat machine has been installed at the district hospital for testing the throat swab of suspected cases. A proposal has been sent to the state government to set up a laboratory in the district hospital to test Covid-19 samples.