COVID-19: West Bengal records its first coronavirus patient death

Kolkata : A 57-year-old man in West Bengal has been declared dead after he was diagnosed with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The man had a travel history to Italy.

The man was a resident of Dum Dum was admitted to a private hospital in Kolkata on March 16. The patient was tested positive on March 21.

On Monday evening, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the death during an all-party meeting at the State Secretariat.

She mentioned that the man had travelled to Italy as his son and other family members stay there.

Ms Banerjee added that the patient suffered a cardiac arrest this afternoon and directed the authorities to follow proper guidelines for cremation of the body.

"The 57-year-old male patient, who was admitted to the Salt Lake unit on 16.03.2020 with high fever and cough, expired on 23.03.2020 at around 3:35 p.m…. He was detected COVID-19 positive after samples were sent to NICED [National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases] and SSKM Hospital on 20.03.2020 and 21.03.2020,” a statement from the private hospital where the patient was admitted said.

Till Monday evening, West Bengal has registered seven positive cases of coronavirus and one death. The state has been put under lockdown till March 27 to stop the spread of the virus in the state.