The 60-year-old official, an assistant director of the state health services and in-charge of the Central Medical Stores, was initially admitted in a state government hospital
A senior West Bengal health official, who tested positive for the coronavirus infection earlier this month, died at a private hospital in Kolkata in the wee hours of Sunday.
The 60-year-old official, an assistant director of the state health services and in-charge of the Central Medical Stores, was initially admitted in a state government hospital, but transferred to the private health facility on April 18, and put on ventilation as he developed respiratory problems.
His condition deteriorated on Saturday, and he passed away at 1-30 pm.
A hospital source said the official also had diabetes and hypertension.
It was still not clear whether the state government would categorise his death as due to Covid 19 or because of other comorbidities. A committee of doctors formed by the government has the final say in declaring the primary cause of death of a coronavirus positive patient as due to COVID-19 disease or due to some other condition.
Hospital sources said the official”s wife is also under treatment after having contracted the virus.
A number of employees of the Central Medical Stores have been sent on quarantine after the official tested positive for the viral disease.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Baneree in a tweet said she was “deeply pained at the untimely demise” of state assistant director, health services, Central Medical Stores, Biplab Kanti Dasgupta.