MYSURU: After recording a steep climb in the number of positive cases for several days, Mysuru saw a silver lining on Tuesday as its first COVID-19 patient, a 35-year-old Dubai returnee, was discharged on Tuesday.
According to authorities, the man was discharged on April 7 at 02.30 AM after his final tests also came out negative and the district authorities got a go-ahead from their higher-ups.
The man was confirmed to have contracted the virus on March 22 after he self-reported to the city's KR hospital immediately after returning from Dubai. He was earlier sent away from the Akash Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, the referral hospital of the Bengaluru airport, ruling out any infection.
The discharge has brought a ray of hope for Mysureans and its health workers as the city had 35 active COVID-19 cases mainly due to a cluster around a Nanjangud pharma company whose source still remains a mystery and also seven people who had returned from Delhi.
According to a senior doctor who is part of the hospital team, the news has come as a great relief for them after days of anxiety.
However, they have their task cut out as the discharged patient will be under constant surveillance for 28 days and will be paid a visit daily by health workers. He has been given clear instructions on avoiding close interactions with family members and a strict regime on hygiene.
Reportedly, two more patients from Mysuru are slated to be discharged soon as they have recovered from the infection and are awaiting the final nod from authorities.