By: Afaq Bhat
Srinagar: As the second wave of COVID-19 is raging, fear and panic have gripped entire Kashmir.
People have started wearing double masks and are trying to follow the other Covid sops to save themselves from getting infected. But the infections are rising at a rapid pace.
According to the reports pouring from different districts, people who are getting infected prefer to stay in isolation within their homes rather than visiting the hospitals. “People who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms are being advised to stay at home. We have to keep hospitals open for critical patients as they are the ones who need oxygen support,” said a doctor.
He said, “Mortality rate has increased due to the second wave being very severe. Many patients who reach the hospital on time and get the needed treatment are able to fight the Covid in a better way, but the ones who don’t reach the hospitals on time are losing the battle. The positive patients, who are under home isolation need to monitor their oxygen saturation level regularly. If it remains above 90, then they need not worry but if it falls, they need to rush to a hospital.”
President of Doctors Association Kashmir and flu expert, Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan said that shifting critically-ill patients from various hospitals to COVID-19 designated hospitals is also contributing to increased mortality. “Shifting them to dedicated hospitals is leading to interruption and delay in treatment,” he said. “We need to revisit the existing protocols for shifting critically-ill patients, who test positive for Covid at different hospitals,” he added.
Another medico said, “Treating critically ill patients is emerging as a big challenge. By the time they arrive in the health facilities, they are in a bad shape. Every home needs to keep an oxy-meter as it will help everyone to check the saturation level.”
He said, “Situation is grim but it can be controlled. From May 1, every adult will be eligible for the COVID-19 jab. People should come forward and get vaccinated. They should not pay any heed to the misinformation campaign. The Covid jab is one the potent tools required to fight the pandemic.”
He said that when inoculation drive started in United States and United Kingdom miscreants spread lot of misinformation but people in these countries cooperated with their governments and today situation is under control in the western countries.
‘Keep hospitals open for critical Covid patients’
