Darbhanga: Amid concerns across the country due to the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic, four children being treated at Bihar’s Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) in a critical condition succumbed in the last 24 hours.
DMCH Superintendent Dr Mani Bhushan Sharma, however, said that only one of the four children had tested positive for Covid-19.
“All of them were in the critical stage. One was severely ill. Covid is not directly linked with the death. Only two children died in 24 hours. The other two died the next day,” ANI quoted Dr Sharma as saying.
The DMCH Principal and in-charge CCU said the children “were experiencing breathlessness and had symptoms like pneumonia”.
“They were in serious condition. One of them had tested positive for COVID. The others tested negative,” he added.
The deaths come just days after registration for the children to participate in the second phase clinical trial of the coronavirus vaccine was made open at the AIIMS in state capital Patna. Around 80 children between the age group of two to 80 years will be reportedly selected for the trial after their registration process, which began earlier on Friday.
Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced that the lockdown in the state will be extended till June 8 in view of the surge in Covid-19 cases.
He, however, announced relaxations for those doing business.
“In view of the corona infection, it has been decided to extend the lockdown by a week i.e. June 8, 2021. But additional discount is being given for business. All people must wear masks and maintain social distance,” he said in a tweet posted in Hindi.