Sikkim reported its first COVID-19 death on Sunday (July 26) after a 74-year-old man succumbed to the disease at a state-run hospital in Gangtok, a senior health official said.
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The man was a resident of Rongli sub-division of East Sikkim district, the official said. The man died due to COVID-19 early in the morning, Director General-cum-Secretary, Health, Dr Pema T Bhutia said.
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He was admitted to Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial (STNM) Hospital on Saturday night after he tested positive for the disease.
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The patient was shifted to the intensive care unit (ICU) where he breathed his last, he said. He was also suffering from diabetes and hypertension, the official added.
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Bhutia said the last rites of the patient will be performed as per the standard operating procedure (SOP) laid down by the Gangtok Municipal Corporation (GMC).
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Chief minister Prem Singh Tamang said he was "deeply saddened" by the death of the COVID-19 patient.
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He urged the people of the state to remain calm and continue following the guidelines put in place to contain the spread of the contagious disease.
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As of Saturday, there were 357 active COVID-19 cases in Sikkim, according to official data.
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