11 more AIIMS health workers test positive for coronavirus

New Delhi : 11 fresh coronavirus cases among the AIIMS health workers have been registered on Friday, taking the total number of hospital staff infected so far to 206.

Since February 1, 206 healthcare workers including two faculty, ten resident doctors, 26 nurses, nine technicians, five mess workers, 49 hospital attendants, 34 sanitation workers and 69 security guards have been infected by the novel coronavirus, an AIIMS official said.

More than 150 health workers have recovered from the virus and have rejoined their duties, AIIMS Medical Superintendent, Dr DK Sharma, said.

In last three days, around 64 AIIMS staffers have tested positive for the coronavirus.

"We are taking all precautionary and safety measures for our healthcare workers at the institute. The moment any healthcare worker tests positive, we immediately isolate him or her and initiate the process of contact tracing," Dr Sharma said.

According to sources, samples of around 11 healthcare workers tested positive till Friday morning, while 30 were found infected till Thursday morning and 23 were found infected till Wednesday morning.

"Healthcare workers and ancillary staff testing positive are both from COVID and non-COVID areas of the hospital. Employees from all kinds of departments like engineering, laboratories, offices, canteens, operation theaters and wards among others have contracted the infection," Dr Sharma said.

Meanwhile, one of the AIIMS sanitation workers, who was tested positive for coronavirus, died last Sunday.