AGENCIES, Pune: At a time when coronavirus patients and suspects are facing harassment in several parts of the country, people of Pune have lined up along the road to cheer up Maharashtra’s first COVID-19 recovered patient.
Jivandhar and wife Prashanti Awati spent a sleepless night on Tuesday at Pune’s Naidu Hospital waiting for an all-clear. The state’s first positive cases, they finally got the second result confirming them negative and ending their 14-day isolation, at 5.30 am Wednesday. They had tested positive for COVID-19 on March 10. On Wednesday evening, their daughter Ankita, too, was discharged.
As the couple stepped out, people from chawls around Naidu Hospital lined up along the road to wave at the ambulance that took them home, escorted by a police van.
“It was heartwarming,” said Jivandhar, a senior manager with a Pune firm.
When they reached their society on Sinhagad Road, another surprise awaited them.
Jivandhar said , “The society has 350 flats across seven buildings. Several came to their balconies, clapping and cheering.” Added Prashanti, “Some brought groceries, others offered to get food packets.” Maharashtra is the worst coronavirus affected state in the country with 124 positive cases. The state is under complete lockdown as Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide lockdown.
