COVID-19 stalks a family that neglected its symptoms

They refused to undergo tests till it was too late

Here’s an example of how treacherous the dreaded COVID-19 could be if its symptoms are neglected. At a time when several people experiencing COVID-19 symptoms are rushing to testing centres, a family of four – an elderly couple, their daughter and son (in late 40s) – residing on Naidupeta road in Srikalahasti chose to ignore fever, cold and cough, the symptoms of the infection, and paid the price. When the first symptoms appeared in the last week of April, none of the family members had gone for testing. The family’s self-isolation, however, led to doubts in the neighbourhood and some people advising them to go for tests, but it went unheeded. The family kept dodging inquisitive questions, saying that they were safe and only suffering from general cold and cough. Carried away by the treatment methods being telecast in some channels and posted in social media, the family took to self-medication, both allopathic and ayurvedic.