KOLHAPUR: A 75-year-old woman from Pachgaon village in Maharashtra‘s Kolhapur district succumbed to Covid-19 on Sunday at the CPR Hospital after four days of treatment. Hospital authorities confirmed that the patient had diabetes and died of complications arising from Covid.Reports surfaced about the Panchaganga crematorium workers refusing to handle the woman’s body. However, Kolhapur municipal corporation’s chief health inspector Dr Vijay Patil refuted the claims.“The crematorium staff, wearing PPE kits, performed the last rites of the woman following all safety protocol. There were two waves of Covid earlier. Even in those critical situations, the crematorium staff performed their duties bravely. People are requested not to spread rumours,” Dr Patil said.Covid cases are rising again across country, with Kerala and Maharashtra reporting the highest numbers. Despite health authorities stating that the virus is less severe now, they continue to advise public caution. Currently, health department website reports 3,758 active Covid cases nationwide.