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A 28-year-old health worker who has tested positive for coronavirus and is currently undergoing treatment at a Covid-19 dedicated care centre at Ali Jauhar University in Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh, was booked for alleging lack of food at the centre and spreading rumours by uploading a video on social media, reported The Indian Express.
The health worker, who later allegedly backtracked on his allegations, was employed on a contract basis as a ward boy and came in contact with the virus while serving at a district hospital where corona positive patients were kept, a government official said. Police said he was admitted to the university Covid-19 centre two days ago and as a precautionary measure, his family members, including his parents, have now been quarantined.
A complaint by Rampur District Hospital’s Chief Medical Superintendent Dr. Rakesh Mittal has been filed in the matter and a case against the health worker has been booked under Sections 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the IPC at Azeem Nagar police station. The police also invoked the Epidemic Disease Act and Information Technology Act.
Dr. Rakesh Mittal said that last week, the health worker was found positive and sent to isolation. According to Mittal, in a video that went viral in which the ward boy is purportedly heard saying that he isn’t fasting for Ramzan because iftar (meal eaten after sunset) and sehri (meal eaten before sunrise) are not provided in the hospital. He is purportedly heard saying that coronavirus fears created by media are false. But inexplicably, in another video released the next day, he is seen apologising for “allegations”.
Anjaneya Kumar Singh, Rampur District Magistrate, said that the action was taken because of irresponsible remarks about coronavirus and a false statement that he was not observing roza due to lack of food. The ward boy had initially hidden the fact that he was living with his parents, said Singh.
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