First COVID-19 casualty in Assam, 65-year-old patient from Hailakandi expires

SILCHAR, April 10: Despite best efforts from doctors at the Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH), 65-year old COVID-19 positive patient from Hailakandi district passed away on Thursday midnight at the ICU, marking the first coronavirus casualty in Assam.

In his tweet at 2:16 am, Health Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased saying "with utmost grief and sorrow, I would like to inform that Sri Faijul Haque Barbhuyan,(65) from Hailakandi district has expired few minutes back in SMCH due to complication of COVID-19. Deep condolences and prayers for the bereaved family."

According to sources at the SMCH which is also the COVID-19 hospital, the patient was battling with viral pneumonial infection in his lungs and respiratory complications. He was brought to the hospital on April 7 and his condition began to deteriorate since afternoon of April 9, hospital sources informed.

Further, sources have also informed that the deceased was the 28th COVID-19 positive case in Assam and third from Barak Valley. He had a travel history of visiting Saudia Arabia and also the Nizamuddin Markaz in New Delhi.

In a video message from SMCH, Silchar MP Dr Rajdeep Roy condoled the death of Barbhuyan and informed that the funeral of the deceased would be executed as per the COVID-19 protocol notified by the government.