Varde
still positive, but Goa safe
Sandesh Prabhudesai
23 April 2003
Prasheel Varde, India's first SARS victim, has been tested
positive once again, but other five persons, who were in close
contact with him, have been tested negative.
"This is a good news for Goa. It means that Varde is
not spreading the virus and Goa is totally safe", said
state health minister Dr Suresh Amonkar.
While discharging Varde on 18 April for the second time since
he was totally symptom-free, his samples were sent for laboratory
test for the second time to the National Institute of Communicable
Diseases in Delhi.
Along with it, the two-member team of experts that had air
dashed to Goa on 17 April had also taken five more samples
along with them, of Varde's wife, father and three medical
staff including doctors and nurses. The report was desperately
awaited.
Though there is no written information received so far from
the NICD, Dr Amonkar late tonight said this information was
confirmed telephonically from the national directorate of
health services.
"There is no question of taking Varde back into custody,
even if he is found positive once again. But voluntary isolation
at his residence will continue as a precaution", states
Dr Amonkar.
Adding further, chief minister Manohar Parrikar states that
it clearly means that the virus is not spreading further in
Goa and there is absolutely no danger.
Varde caught this virus during his tour to Singapore and
Hong Kong during last week of March while his wife has been
with him throughout the tour and back. He had arrived here
on 1 April while he had mild fever only for three days from
10 to 12 April.
"It means his immunity is overpowering and the virus
is not virulent", states Dr Amonkar.
The state Assembly had debated over the issue earlier in
the day and the health minister had detailed out all the measures
taken by constituting high-level task force.
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