44 ‘suspected’ Covid-19 deaths in 34 days in Rajasthan village

Jaipur: Somalpur village in Ajmer district is yet another rural area in Rajasthan that has recorded an unusually high number of deaths in the past 30 days. Since April 14, the village has recorded 44 deaths, mostly due to influenza-like illness, similar to Covid-19 sickness. The cause of death is being recorded as ‘unknown’ or cardiac arrest. Since April 16, not a single day has passed that the village has not recorded at least one death.

Sarpanch Choga Nath had initially denied any death due to Covid in Somalpur. Later, when he was countered with facts, he admitted the horror the village is facing every day. “Not a single corner of the village is left untouched by the second Covid wave. Other than 7-8 persons who died due to the disease in hospitals, the rest all have symptoms like cold, cough, fever etc. It may be and may not be Covid,” he Nath.

Former sarpanch Ikram Khan Cheetah says over 60 graves were dug in the past 30-40 days. “An aerial survey of all graveyards can give a clear picture that the death figures being quoted by the elected representatives are a lie. By not acknowledging the problem it is like putting the lives of others in danger,” he said.

He further claimed that at least 10-15 persons are presently in hospital, 25-30 have self-quarantined themselves and members of many families have influenza like illness (ILI) symptoms, who are potential Covid patients.