3-day old baby in Tripura dies after swab taken for Covid-19 test, govt orders probe

Guwahati: In an unfortunate incident, a three-day-old baby boy died soon after a swab sample was collected for testing at Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) on Wednesday. 

The Tripura government has ordered an inquiry into the incident on Thursday (August 13)

As per reports, the inquiry order came a day after the baby's parents accused doctors of being responsible for the death claiming that the baby was healthy till the collection of swab samples for the Covid-19 test.

The baby underwent the test as his mother is also Covid-19 positive.

The baby was born at state-run Govind Ballabh Pant (GBP) Hospital on August 10 and he died on Wednesday allegedly after his swab samples were collected.

"A three-member team has been formed to inquire into the death of the baby. The team will submit its report in the next three days. We will know the details about the case after getting their report," stated director of Health Department Dr. Subhasish Debbarma.

He also added that he was not aware of the baby's Covid-19 test reports but said that his mother had tested positive in a rapid antigen test on August 10.

According to the infant's mother and other relatives, the baby started bleeding from the nose after swab samples were collected from his nose.

They alleged that the doctors on duty assured them that he would be alright, but he died after some time.

"Soon after the swab was taken, my son started bleeding profusely from the nose and died," said the deceased's father. 

Notably, Additional chief secretary SK Rakesh told reporters that the baby's death was not related to the collection of swab samples.

However, authorities were waiting for the autopsy report to know the cause of death.

It is to be mentioned that earlier on August 2, a two-day-old baby girl, also a Covid-19 positive patient, had died.

Till now, 44 Covid-19 patients have died in the state of Tripura.

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