CHENNAI: AA 60-year-old man who tested positive for COVID-19 died at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) here on Wednesday. This is the first COVID-19 death after the recent surge in infections in many parts of the country.

According to hospital sources, the deceased was referred to RGGGH from ESIC Hospital in KK Nagar, Chennai, as a case of acute gastroenteritis with severe dehydration. He has a history of diabetes and hypertension and is a stage four chronic kidney failure patient. He was admitted to ESIC hospital with complaints of diarrhoea on May 15 and was put on dialysis on alternate days for renal failure.

"He tested COVID-positive on May 26. On May 27, he was in critical condition and was referred to RGGGH and admitted at 7.30 pm. On arrival, his carotid pulse was absent. He was declared dead subsequently. On scrutinising the reports, it is ascertained that the cause of death is due to complications of chronic kidney failure along with other existing diseases," said a communique issued by the director of public health.