The maternity wing of the Sadar Hospital here was shut and sanitised on Saturday after it was revealed that a woman who had tested positive for the novel coronavirus had given birth to a baby there on Wednesday.

All the 26 women admitted at the wing where were discharged with a suggestion to either go to RIMS or any government health centre close to their residence in case of urgency. Senior doctors remained busy choosing how which physicians, nurses and other staff are required to be sent for quarantine, isolation or tests.

Sadar Hospital is the only facility in the city where a large number of women can give birth with proper care free of cost. RIMS is meant for more specialised care.

“The lady, whose husband also tested positive, had delivered a baby and remained in the Sadar Hospital till Thursday. Her sample was collected the same day she was admitted because she was from Hindpiri, declared a containment zone,” a hospital employee said. “As many as 29 deliveries took place in the hospital after the lady delivered her baby. On April 15, as many as 17 deliveries took place while on April 16 seven deliveries took place. On April 17 there were five deliveries in the hospital. Over 50 medical and paramedical staff remained in direct and indirect contact with the lady.”

The deserted maternity ward of the hospital

Ranchi deputy commissioner (DC) Rai Mahimapat Ray said it was being assessed how many will have to go in quarantine.

A RIMS insider said that the woman and her baby have been kept in isolation under the care of a gynaecologist and a paediatrician. “The baby will also be tested for the novel coronavirus,” the RIMS insider said.

The office of the district civil surgeon is also situated on the Sadar Hospital premises and hospital sources said the same kitchen had served the woman as well as the civil surgeon himself.

Asked if civil surgeon Dr Vijay Bihari Prasad would also be quarantined, DC Ray ruled out the possibility, saying: “The civil surgeon did not have any exposure (to the woman).”

Dr Prasad echoed the DC, and added: “Deliveries will be restarted at the Sadar Hospital once it is decided how many staff will be sent for quarantine as for delivery services adequate number of staff is always required.”