Success story: 3 of family, including minor return home, cured of Corona

DARJEELING: There was reason to cheer for North Bengal on Saturday. Three of a family, including a three-year-old who was hospitalised for being  COVID positive, have been cured and sent home. These are the first three patients from North Bengal to be cured and sent home.

Incidentally, the three persons are the family members of  the 45-year-old woman from Kalimpong who was the first COVID-19 patient from the Hills and passed away on March 26. 10 persons, including the three who had come in contact  with the deceased, had tested positive.

They were admitted to the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital. With the state government requisitioning a private nursing home at Matigarah and declaring it as a dedicated COVID-19 hospital, they were shifted there and  were undergoing treatment in this nursing home.

There was jubilation among the doctors and staff of the nursing home on Saturday. Dr  Gopal Krishna Dhali, membersof the health expert committee of the state government who are camping in North Bengal  were also present. All three have tested negative twice.Dr Dipanjan Banerjee, Head of Medicine department, NBMCH, stated: "We hope to  release the other eight patients in a day or two. After returning home they will remain in isolation." The 58-year-old who was released on Saturday  said:: "There is nothing to fear. One has to increase mental strength and also strengthen the immune system. One can fight Corona." Son of the 58-year- old said: "Everyone stood by us including the state government and the GTA. My father  is a kidney transplant patient and my daughter is 3-years-old. The doctors and nurses  did a commendable job. We thank them."