Odisha’s First COVID-19 Patient Set To Rejoin Work In Italy Next Month

Bhubaneswar: Debasis Srichandan, the first person who tested positive for COVID-19 in Odisha, is all set to fly back to Italy to rejoin his workplace early next month.

Debasis, a native of Bhubaneswar, had tested positive for the virus on March 15, days after he flew in from Milan amid the spurt of coronavirus cases in Italy.

“After my birthday (November 7), I am planning to rejoin work,” said the computer engineer associated with a research program at the University of Milan. “I have been working online. But things have improved there and most people have gone back to the campus,” Debasis was quoted as saying by Times of India.

The techie recounted that the COVID-19 symptoms were too mild, but life for the next many months was full of anxiety. “Though I was discharged from hospital on April 3, I did not come out of my house for around three months in fear that I may spread the infection. When I finally stepped out, people would look at me with fear and avoid me,” he said.

“But things have changed now. The society understands more about the virus now. Many of my friends and acquaintances have tested positive over the months and recovered,” he added.