Vadodara, May 19: Shantiben Patel, a suspected SARS patient in Gujarat, has tested negative, SSG Hospital authorities said today quoting a report from Pune-based National Institute of Virology (NIV). Eighty-year-old Patel, after her arrival from New Zealand on May 9, had complained of fever, bodyache and dry cough and was admitted to SSG Hospital after refusal by a private hospital to treat her on suspicion that she was SARS-affected, superintendent of the government-run SSG Hospital Dr Kamal Pathak said here.
Meanwhile, additional chief secretary to state's health department Sudeep Kumar Nanda said the state has become SARS-free as both the suspected patients had tested negative. Earlier, Rajesh Shah, suspected SARS patient from Ahmedabad, had tested negative, Nanda said adding that he was discharged from Ahmedabad hospital on May 13.
The government would issue notice to the concerned private hospital, which refused to treat Patel and shifted her to SSG Hospital. "This private hospital has violated norms and secrecy related to the patient and created panic among the poeple," Nanda added. Bureau Report