A 27-year-old woman from Mandla district, Madhya Pradesh, died of COVID-19 on Sunday, a day after delivering a baby at the Jabalpur Government Medical College and Hospital. This marks the first COVID-19 death in Jabalpur this year and the fourth female fatality in Madhya Pradesh over the past couple of weeks.
The woman, who had a pre-existing lung ailment, was admitted to the hospital for delivery on Friday. After delivering her baby on Saturday, she developed respiratory complications. Tests confirmed she was positive for the coronavirus, according to Joint Director Health Dr. Sanjay Mishra. She was immediately moved to the isolation ward, but her condition deteriorated, and she passed away on Sunday.
Dr. Mishra noted that a man in his seventies is currently receiving COVID-19 treatment at the same government facility. He added that, including the deceased woman and one person from the adjacent Katni district, three individuals have tested positive for the virus in Jabalpur within the last week.
This recent death is part of a concerning trend in Madhya Pradesh. Just days prior, on June 11, a 53-year-old woman from Ratlam died of COVID-19 in Indore. She had been admitted to Manorma Raje TB (MRTB) Hospital with severe respiratory issues and was also suffering from tuberculosis and hypertension. Earlier, a 44-year-old woman from Khargone contracted COVID-19 after giving birth and died within a week.
The rise in cases and fatalities, particularly among women, has raised concerns among health officials. Over 140 COVID-19 cases have been reported in Madhya Pradesh recently, with the death toll now reaching four. All four of these recent fatalities were women.
Health officials are urging people to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. These include wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and frequent handwashing. They also emphasize the importance of early detection and treatment for those who experience symptoms of COVID-19, especially individuals with underlying health conditions. The state's health department is closely monitoring the situation and taking measures to control the spread of the infection.