Of 19 Covid deaths in Chandigarh, 10 tested positive posthumously

Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 3

In almost 10 out of 19 Covid-19 deaths reported from the city, samples of the patients were taken posthumously. This implies that patients are not reporting at hospitals on time.

Medical experts have pointed out the concern for early detection of the disease so as to save patients’life.

No doubt, comorbid condition is one aspect of mortality, but late medical intervention is also one of the factors, which is quite disturbing. This happens when people ignore their routine Covid-19 symptoms at an early stage. If the symptoms are ignored for three to seven days, cytokine storm sets in and the patient loses time and nothing much can be done. — Dr KK Talwar, former director of the PGI

Dr KK Talwar, former director of the PGI, said: “No doubt, comorbid condition is one aspect of mortality, but late medical intervention is also one of the factors, which is quite disturbing. This happens when people ignore their routine Covid-19 symptoms at an early stage. If the symptoms are ignored for three to seven days, cytokine storm sets in and the patient loses time and nothing much can be done.”

“Emphasis should be on making people aware of testing opportunities. There should be confidence among patients that their tests, reports and treatments will be taken care of. Testing should be ramped up. It should be conducted quickly so that there are no delays. Use of pulse oximeters should be advocated so that every individual can monitor their oxygen saturation levels at home. If the percentage drops below 95, they should alert their doctor,” said Dr Talwar.

About 57 per cent of the Covid deaths in the city are above 60 years of age. The youngest one to lose battle was a three-day-old girl, who died right after the birth after developing severe pneumonia, and the oldest was a 96-year-old man, who was bedridden due to a paralytic attack.

Eight patients, who died of Covid-19, had comorbidities related to heart and six had diabetes.

A doctor from the PGI said: “The patients who succumbed to the virus were having comorbidities such as heart disease, diabetes and liver disease. Patients with such comorbidities, either single or in combination, are particularly at high-risk of Covid-related complications and poor outcome, including death. This crude analysis gives an important message that patients with comorbidities should be extremely careful and avoid going outside. They should not ignore early symptoms and contact doctors immediately if they develop any of the symptoms such as fever, cough or cold.”

Dr Sonu Goel, a public health expert at the PGI, said: “When Covid-19 superimposes on hypertensive patients, their condition deteriorates. These are already comprised patients in terms of functioning capacity of organs. The same is with diabetes patients. Hence, emphasis should be on continuous monitoring of sugar levels and blood pressure.”