Rourkela Hosp Doctor Catches Infection After 2 Shots Of COVID-19 Vaccine

Rourkela:  Three weeks after completing the COVID-19 vaccine schedule, a senior contractual doctor of Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH) has reportedly tested positive for the virus.

The 71-year-old doctor took the first shot of the vaccine (Covishield) on January 16 and the booster dose on February 15.

On March 3, he had a cough and was found to be positive for COVID-19 during a rapid antigen test. The RT-PCR test on Thursday evening confirmed his positive status.

“I developed a dry cough and initially thought it to be a symptom of heart problem given my age. A fellow doctor suggested that I go for the COVID-19 test, which came out to be positive,” he was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express.

The doctor said he could have contracted the virus during the rush hour of OPD where COVID-19 guidelines are thrown to the wind by the patients.

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He is currently under home isolation.

Quoting Health and Family Welfare department sources, the report said that the infected doctor had no other symptoms other than cough. “He is 71 years old. It is possible that the immune response to the vaccine may have been poor. His health condition is being monitored, ” said an official.

Additional Chief Secretary (Health) PK Mohapatra told the newspaper that an antibody test will be done for him by RMRC to evaluate his condition and ascertain the true status of infection.