NAGPUR: With many more testing positive in the last ten days, the trend in the city is indicating that 70% of patients in need of hospitalization are above the age of 65. The others, mostly asymptomatic, are recovering in home isolation.
“Since the last six-seven days, we have been observing that many senior citizens are getting admitted for Covid-19. The ICUs have more elderly adults under-treatment,” said Dr Ashwini Tayade, infectious disease specialist at Kingsway Hospital.
As on February 19, Nagpur district had 5,617 patients under treatment, 978 have been hospitalized and the treatment mode for 754 was to be decided. In all, 3,885 patients were in home isolation. Out of the 978 patients admitted in various hospitals across the city, more than 70% were above 65 years of age.
In the GMCH Covid ward, 26 out of 62 patients admitted between January 14 and 31 were senior citizens. In the first two weeks of February, 33 out of 47 are from 60+ age groups. Many private Covid-19 hospitals also reported similar figures. As many patients are from affluent families, most of them prefer private Covid hospitals over GMCs.
The situation is similar in other parts of Vidarbha where cases are on the rise. Akola has 1,624 Covid-19 positive patients under-treatment. Out of them, 554 are admitted in GMCH Akola and 314 of them are above 65 years of age. “Senior citizens, that too with pre-existing co-morbid conditions, are always at risk and need hospitalization. But, the recent spike has seen increased hospitalization. This might be because those with severe co-morbid conditions are now getting exposed to the virus due to relaxation,” said Dr Anand Thatte, an epidemiologist from Akola
However, the increased hospitalization rate has one bright spot. Due to early hospitalization, the death rate due to this new spike is negligible. While cases are increasing daily in Vidarbha, the case fatality rate is still under 2.50%. It was even lesser than the state’s average on February 15.
“Deaths are under control because hospitals are now ready with the treatment protocol, medicines, oxygen etc. The experience of the September peak is coming handy,” said a doctor who has been working in a Covid hospital in Nagpur since the start of the pandemic.
TIME TO TAKE EXTRA CARE
Physical distancing: No marriage functions, no gatherings. Don’t welcome visitors unless absolutely necessary
Keep grand kids away: Maintain distance because they can be asymptomatic carriers
Continue medicines: Don’t change treatment plan without consulting doctor
Don’t hesitate to get admitted: If doctor advises hospitalization, then go for it. Hospitalization has been a life saviour for many senior citizens
“Since the last six-seven days, we have been observing that many senior citizens are getting admitted for Covid-19. The ICUs have more elderly adults under-treatment,” said Dr Ashwini Tayade, infectious disease specialist at Kingsway Hospital.
As on February 19, Nagpur district had 5,617 patients under treatment, 978 have been hospitalized and the treatment mode for 754 was to be decided. In all, 3,885 patients were in home isolation. Out of the 978 patients admitted in various hospitals across the city, more than 70% were above 65 years of age.
In the GMCH Covid ward, 26 out of 62 patients admitted between January 14 and 31 were senior citizens. In the first two weeks of February, 33 out of 47 are from 60+ age groups. Many private Covid-19 hospitals also reported similar figures. As many patients are from affluent families, most of them prefer private Covid hospitals over GMCs.
The situation is similar in other parts of Vidarbha where cases are on the rise. Akola has 1,624 Covid-19 positive patients under-treatment. Out of them, 554 are admitted in GMCH Akola and 314 of them are above 65 years of age. “Senior citizens, that too with pre-existing co-morbid conditions, are always at risk and need hospitalization. But, the recent spike has seen increased hospitalization. This might be because those with severe co-morbid conditions are now getting exposed to the virus due to relaxation,” said Dr Anand Thatte, an epidemiologist from Akola
However, the increased hospitalization rate has one bright spot. Due to early hospitalization, the death rate due to this new spike is negligible. While cases are increasing daily in Vidarbha, the case fatality rate is still under 2.50%. It was even lesser than the state’s average on February 15.
“Deaths are under control because hospitals are now ready with the treatment protocol, medicines, oxygen etc. The experience of the September peak is coming handy,” said a doctor who has been working in a Covid hospital in Nagpur since the start of the pandemic.
TIME TO TAKE EXTRA CARE
Physical distancing: No marriage functions, no gatherings. Don’t welcome visitors unless absolutely necessary
Keep grand kids away: Maintain distance because they can be asymptomatic carriers
Continue medicines: Don’t change treatment plan without consulting doctor
Don’t hesitate to get admitted: If doctor advises hospitalization, then go for it. Hospitalization has been a life saviour for many senior citizens
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