Man with breathing complications dies in Shariatpur

A 70-year-old man with breathing problems, dry cough and stomach ache who reportedly hid the information from his physician, died yesterday at his residence in Shariatpur's Jajira upazila.

"Relatives of the patient brought him to the emergency department of Jajira Upazila Health Complex on Saturday saying he was suffering from a stomach ache," said Dr Rashel Miah of the hospital.

"I asked them several times for further details. But they told me nothing then. So, I treated him according to what they said and advised that he be admitted to hospital. But they took him back," he said.

Dr Rashel also asked the patient's relatives for health updates. 

"A relative of the patient around 1:00pm [on Sunday] informed me over the phone that he [the deceased] was suffering from breathing problems and dry cough," he said.

"Later, around 5:00pm, the patient's relatives told me that the man died. I then informed my senior physicians of the matter," he added.

Read more: WHO list of Covid-19 symptoms 

The man died at his residence in Haji Kalai Morol Kandi village of the upazila around 5:00pm yesterday, said Dr Mahmudul Hasan, Jajira upazila health and family planning officer.

His samples have been collected and will be sent to the IEDCR today, the official said.

When Contacted, Md Zahidul Islam, upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of Jajira, said, "Soon after the incident, I rushed to the deceased's home and recovered the body for burial. No one else came to the body suspecting that he had been infected with coronavirus."

The body was buried by the Islamic Foundation as per the guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO), the UNO said.

Some 15 families located around the deceased's house have been placed under home quarantine as per precaution, he added.