Covid-19 has completely devastated a family in Ganjam district claiming four lives just in three months. The deaths have sent shockwaves across Angargaon village under Beguniapada block.
Late Mahant Sahoo of Angargaon had five sons, all living together happily in the joint family with separate setups for income. Two years ago, second son Bhikari had died due to some illness.
While eldest son Dhabaleswar (60) and youngest son Krushna Chandra (42) were running a grocery shop, fourth son Mangaraj (48) had a chemist store and third son Basudev (50) was owner of two buses and a tractor. The tragedy struck the family in July when three brothers died due to coronavirus just in six days.
The virus claimed the life of youngest brother Krushna Chandra on July 14 while he was being shifted to a hospital in Bhubaneswar. Two days later, fourth brother Mangaraj died at the MKCG Hospital in Brahmapur.
After two days, third brother Basudev succumbed to the virus. The series of deaths left the family shattered. But the eldest son Dhabaleswar stood firm and took responsibility of the remaining family members on his shoulders.
However, the tragic period of the family did not end with loss of three brothers. On September 27, Dhabaleswar also developed Covid symptoms, following which he underwent antigen test. Even as his report came out negative, he was admitted to the Covid ward of the MKCG Hospital. However, he died on September 30.
Dhabaleswar’s son has questioned the decision of health officials to admit his father at a Covid ward even though he had not tested positive for the virus.