Kerala: 25 doctors among 75 SCTIMST employees placed under isolation

At least 25 doctors are among 75 employees of a premier health insitute here who have been kept under isolation in wake of a Spain returned doctor testing positive for coronavirus.

Though re is shut down, only emergency surgeries are being held at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Techlogy institute, sources told PTI.

Riology department has been disinfected according to state protocol.

"We have identified 75 employees, including at least 25 doctors who have come under primary contact list and y have been placed under isolation", sources said.

ir family members have been asked to continue in home isolation. doctor, who returned from Spain on March 1, came to hospital next day wearing gloves and a mask.

He reported to institute's infection control team, who in turn informed DISHA, comprising trained social workers and counsellors, who answer questions about COVID-19, was informed, sources said.

Since Spain h t n been broght under high risk category and doctor did t have any symptoms,he was asked by DISHA to wait for five more days and come to institute.

doctor came to hospital on March 10 and re was indirect contact with two patients at Riology department, sources said.

On March 11, after Spain was declared a high risk area, doctor was asked by Medical Superintendent to go on leave. He developed symptoms on March 13 and tested positive for virus.

doctor did t go for any surgery, OP or cathlab procedure while at hospital, sources said.

Minister of state for External Affairs V Muraleedharan h held a meting at institute on March 14 at director's office, in which hes of various departments h participated.

SCTIMST, an Institution of National Importance under Department of Science and Techlogy, has status of a university and offers excellent research and training facilities.

It has three wings- a tertiary referral super specialty hospital, a biomedical techlogy wing and Achutha Men Centre for Health Science Studies.

Representative Im