Kangra Deputy Commissioner, Rakesh Kumar Prajapati
A man of Tibetan descent is reported to have died at Dr Rajendera Prasad Medical College (RPMC) hospital in Kangra having tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The man, reported variously as Tenzin Choden and Tenjin Chopel, arrived in McLeod Ganj on Saturday March 21 before complaining of respiratory problems on Monday where upon he was taken to a private hospital. Himachal Pradesh’s Additional Chief Secretary (Health), RD Dhiman added that, “after his condition deteriorated, he was referred RPMC”.
Following the death McLeod Ganj’s curfew has been stepped up and the town sealed off. As a precaution the district administration issued instructions that no one is to leave their home for an undisclosed period of time. Additionally, Shri Balaji Hospital, Dharamshala, the hospital the man is reported to have initially visited, has been closed for 15 days.
Mcloed Ganj, Dharamshala
Efforts are being taken by the district administration to identify all the people who may have been in contact with the affected man, starting with about 100 staff from Shri Balaji Hospital who have been sent for treatment. Kangra Deputy Commissioner, Rakesh Kumar Prajapati, has stated that “hospital staff have been quarantined and the taxi driver has also been identified who had brought him from Delhi to McLeod Ganj”. Prajapati went on to say that, once identified, people who have come into contact with the deceased man would be quarantined.
This latest COVID-19 casualty is reported to have arrived in Delhi from the United States on March 15 prior to travelling to McLeod Ganj and follows two other cases in the region which had travel links to Singapore and Dubai. Throughout Kangra district there are reported to be 628 people under surveillance following travel to affected countries.
CTA President addressing the press regarding the Wuhan-originated virus crisis
In addition to the exiled Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) urging all Tibetans to follow instructions issued by respective state governments, local Tibetan non-government organisations (NGOs) are working to reassure the community. Lha Charitable Trust (Lha) and the Tibetan Settlement Office (TSO) have launched helplines to support those in McLeod Ganj prevented from leaving their homes in an effort to aid the effectiveness of the curfew and lockdown. Speaking on Monday, Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, CTA President, stated that “preventing the spread of coronavirus is a matter of social responsibility that falls upon each one of us. Take it seriously because it’s absolutely crucial”.
TSO Helpline: 8351930708, LHA Helpline: 9882646788 (Support for those elderly people in McLeod Ganj who need someone to buy essentials such as rations, vegetables and medicines)
Indian Ministry of Health & Family COVID-19 National Helpline: +91-11-23978046
Helpline Number for Himachal Pradesh State: 106
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