Jaipur, Jun 23 (IANS): In a heart-rending incident, a COVID-19 patient who slipped in a puddle of dirty water died even while his teenaged daughter -- who too was corona positive -- kept pleading in vain for help at the Covid care centre in Bikaner in Rajasthan.

The patient was hospitalised at the PBM COVID centre and collapsed outside a restroom on Monday after slipping in dirty water outside. However, none of those present at the centre -- neither the staff not others -- allegedly came to his rescue even though his 14-year-old daughter kept pleading, officials said.

A video clip on the shocking incident has gone viral, showing the man lying in a pool of dirty water even as his daughter can be seen crying and yelling for help.

After lying on the ground for around half an hour, the patient died, but still no one came to their rescue.

A hospital staff said: "No one wanted to pick or touch the COVID-19 patient, fearing transmission of the virus. Covid-19 has changed human sentiments and changed the definition of humanity. That is why the man kept lying in hospital with no help."

Both the man and his daughter had tested corona positive two days ago and lodged at this COVID-19 centre.

It was learnt that the girl had even called up her mother, who then contacted their landlord. He further contacted the Chief Medical Health Officer, who asked the hospital staff to act, but to no avail. In the meantime, the patient had passed away.

Finally, the District Collector was told about the incident, who ordered the staff to pick the body.

CMHO Dr BL Meena told IANS that the family's landlord had called him up and he in turn called Medical Superintendent Dr Mohammad Saleem to help the patient to be moved from the washroom.

"After a call from the landlord, I immediately called up the MS at 8.35 am and asked him to bring the man back to his bed. However, by 10 am, I received the information that the man had died."

Dr Saleem maintained that the patient had fever and had gone to the washroom along with an attendant. "When he did not come out for some time, he knocked the door, but there was no response. We had to break open the door. The patient had collapsed. We brought him to his bed and tried to revive him, but he did not gain consciousness."

Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr Raghu Sharma on Tuesday said that strict action shall be taken against "negligent" officials after investigating complaints against them. "Carelessness of some people will not be tolerated. Further, a Nodal Officer will also be appointed for speedy redress of complaints," he added.