Udupi: The person who was being watched in the isolation ward of a government hospital in Udupi, Karnataka has tested negative for the COVID-19 virus.
Health officials heaved a sigh of relief after the state-level Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) report declared the person safe.
The person from Muniyal in Karkala taluk had come in flu-like symptoms and was placed treatment in the isolation ward of the District Hospital on Wednesday.
The 75-year-old man had traveled with his wife to Israel and returned to Udupi a few days ago.
"Blood samples and throat swabs of the person were collected and sent to the VRDL in Bengaluru. We received the negative report on Saturday. People need not panic but I request people to be aware of the symptoms of coronavirus and take necessary precautions," said Udupi deputy commissioner G Jagadeesh in a statement.
The report certified that the man had neither the Covid-19 virus nor any other respiratory affliction.
Sources said the person has been discharged from the hospital.
The deputy commission requested people not to heed any rumours related to COVID-19. If people have any queries, they should contact the Health Department’s helpline or the Udupi District Survey Unit.
