The Sports Authority of India (SAI) center in Bengaluru confirmed on Wednesday that a cook at their facility has died due to a cardiac arrest and even tested positive for the novel coronavirus after his death.

The cook was not living inside the premises of the SAI centre but had visited the complex to attend a meeting earlier this week.

“On May 18, 2020 a cook employed in the Sports Authority of India’s Bangalore center passed away due to a sudden cardiac arrest at BGS hospital. The person was also given a Covid test, as per protocol, and test reports received on May 19, 2020, post death, revealed that he was also Covid Positive.

“The person, who was staying outside the SAI campus during the period of lockdown (March 10, 2020 onwards), came to SAI Bangalore on May 15 to attend a brief meeting to discuss the resumption of kitchen activities at the center. The person went through all necessary screenings, including thermal screening, before entering the SAI center and was found to be absolutely fit. He was wearing mask and given hand sanitizer at the gate,” the Sports Authority of India confirmed in a statement.

“The meeting was attended by 16 members, including the deceased, at the auditorium (Seating capacity of 300) near the administrative block of the center. Social distancing norms, as per government guidelines, were followed during the meeting.

“The situation has been reviewed, and the four other officials, who were present at the meeting and live inside the campus, have been quarantined, as per the Government guidelines. The others, who live outside the center, have been home quarantined,” the statement further added.

Indian Olympic Association president Narinder Batra also reacted to this news, saying that he was satisfied with the way SAI is handling the current situation.

“I have been in touch with Hockey India and I am fully satisfied with the way SAI Bangalore center has been kept safe and sanitised. SAI administration is doing its best to handle the issue at hand and there is no reason to panic. We have spoken to officials and players staying in SAI Bangalore, it is clear that none of them have interacted with the person who tested Covid positive. Any report suggesting that they did, is incorrect,” Dr. Batra said.