Cachar reports its first COVID death; Narshingpur's Shantibala Nath was infected by coronavirus 

On July 10, 85-year-old resident of Narshingpur Part II in Sonai area breathed her last at her own residence. Three members from her family had tested positive on July 9 and that is why the administration demarcated her house as a containment zone. The locals did not volunteer to enter the containment zone and conduct the last rites.

A day later, Aapda Mitra volunteers entered her house and conducted the last rites following all necessary protocols.

Today, the district administration confirmed that Shantibala Nath was infected by coronavirus. “Her samples were collected post-death and today Silchar Medical College and Hospital confirmed that she was a COVID positive patient,” said the spokesperson from the District Health Department.

The spokesperson added, “Shantibala Nath, therefore, becomes the first resident of Cachar district to die with coronavirus infection in the body.”

ADC, Cachar Sumit Sattavan confirmed that Shantibala Nath’s dead body was handled by trained professionals and the last rites were conducted following the rituals. “The volunteers were in a PPE, so, there is very little chance of them getting infected while conducting the burial process,” said Sattavan.

To know more about how Aapda Mitra volunteers conducted the burial process, read: Aapda Mitra volunteers Nazom, Sohid, Roshid completes last rites of Sonai’s Shantibala Nath

Shantibala Nath becomes the third individual in Barak Valley to die with coronavirus infection in the body. Hailakandi’s Mangoli Rani Das (53) and Foijul Haque Barbhuiya (65) had already succumbed at Silchar Medical College and Hospital.