Chandigarh death graph rising, 90 succumb in 9 days

Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 9

The city is witnessing an alarming rise in Covid-19 deaths as 90 persons have succumbed to the virus in just nine days, a sharp increase in the toll over last month that saw 99 deaths.

To avoid crowding at hospitals, there should be a centralised screening chamber at the PGI. Doctors should decide if a patient needs hospitalisation and if yes, then where. — Manoj Parida, Chandigarh Adviser

As many as 62 B-type cylinders of the PGI were filled on Sunday by the UT Administration out of its own oxygen quota. — Chandigarh Administration

Case fatality rate: 1.1%

Despite the rise in fatalities, the case fatality rate (CFR) is only 1.1 per cent in Chandigarh due to a higher number of recoveries.

Eight to 10 deaths are being reported from Chandigarh on a daily basis. A majority of those who succumbed to Covid-19 were aged 70 and above. Around 25 per cent fatalities this month were of those aged between 50 and 60, while 16 per cent Covid deaths were seen in the 40-50 age group. Six of those who died were in their 30s.

Dr Zafar Ahmed, senior consultant (critical care), Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, said: “In patients affected by the new mutant strain, we are witnessing the involvement of various organs, aggressive cardiac involvement and vasculitis. This time, comorbid conditions have taken a back seat in Covid-19 fatalities. A very advanced lung involvement is seen in young patients with no comorbidities. However, it doesn’t mean comorbid patients are not at a risk.”

“Most of the patients have started treatments at home. They take steroids, which complicates their condition. The non-availability of beds is increasing the toll,” said Dr Ahmed.

He said: “If the disease in a patient has advanced and requires ventilator, he/she will not die if respiratory support is given early.”

Dr Hardeep Singh from Santokh Hospital, Chandigarh, said: “A lot of patients start self-medication and we have been receiving more calls for ventilators than oxygen beds or normal Covid bed. This implies that patients are reporting late when the oxygen has already dropped to 70-80. Doctors are feeling helpless as we are unable to save patients.”