India's First Omicron Patient Tests Negative For COVID-19 But Develops Post-Viral Infection: Report

The doctor tested negative nearly 21 days after testing positive for novel coronavirus.

Medical professionals with PPE kits preparing a record of people (Image for representation)

Chennai: The Bengaluru doctor who tested positive for the Omicron variant tested negative for Covid but has developed a post-viral bacterial infection. Hence, the doctor who was initially ready for discharge on December 6 will continue to remain in the hospital. 

According to a report on The New Indian Express, the anesthetist is currently receiving treatment at Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital and he tested negative for Covid-19 in the RT-PCR test on Saturday. The doctor tested negative nearly 21 days after testing positive for novel coronavirus.

The doctor earlier after the regular quarantine period tested positive twice and hence was not discharged due to the discharge policy provided by Karnataka for the Omicron variant. 

However, currently after testing negative, the patient now has a fever indicating a post-viral bacterial infection and the discharge of the doctor is likely to delay further. 

Meanwhile, a third person on Sunday tested positive for the Omicron variant of Covid-19, said State Health Minister K Sudhakar. The 34-year-old man returned from South Africa before testing positive for variant. The state health department isolated the patient and started tracing the primary and secondary contacts. The samples of at least 20 persons were initially sent for testing. However, all the primary and secondary contacts tested negative for the variant, said a report on PTI. 

The passenger also initially tested negative for COVID-19 on his return to KempeGowda Internation Airport in Bengaluru. However, he developed symptoms and took a swab test again in which COVID-19 infection was confirmed.