Coronavirus: Assam doctor dies after taking anti-malaria drug to prevent COVID-19

Guwahati-based doctor who allegedly took anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine amid the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak died at a private hospital in the capital city of Assam. The cause of his death is understood to be cardiac arrest the deceased has been identified as Dr Utpaljit Barman. Its medical superintendent, Dr N K Hazarika, said according to the information he has, Barman took the anti-malarial drug as a prophylactic against the virus, as did many other doctors. “But the death was due to a myocardial infarction, a heart attack. Whether the HCQS caused it is not known,” he said.

It has also emerged that Barman was not treating any suspected COVID-19 patient.The Indian Council of Medical Research, the top government medical body, has recommended the drug for doctors, health workers and family members exposed to the COVID-19 patients. The ICMR has also warned that the drug should not be taken as self-medication to prevent or cure COVID-19. As the overall number of COVID-19 cases in the country crossed 1,200 late Monday evening, there are now only six states that have yet to record a single positive case.