'Absolutely baseless': Gujarat govt denies report claiming religious segregation of Covid-19 patients

NEW DELHI: The Gujarat government has strongly rubbished media reports of alleged segregation of coronavirus patients on the basis of religion in civil hospital in Ahmedabad.
"Some reports have appeared in the media that there are separate wards for patients of different religions in Civil Hospital Ahmedabad COVID hospital. These reports are absolutely baseless, " the Gujarat health & family welfare department said on Twitter.
The state health department clarified that no segregation was being done in civil hospital on the basis of religion.

"Corona patients are being treated based on symptoms, severity etc and according to treating doctors' recommendations," the health department said.
Meanwhile, the ministry of external affairs hit out at the US Commission on International Religious Freedom for adding "religious colour" to India's fight against Covid-19.

The MEA's statement came after the USCIRF expressed concern over the alleged report.
The number of coronavirus cases in Gujarat rose to 766 on Wednesday with 127 new patients being reported, a health department official said.
Eighty-eight of the new cases were reported from Ahmedabad.
Five coronavirus patients died in the state on Wednesday today, taking the death toll due to the pandemic in Gujarat to 33.