Haryana witnessed 40.44 per cent of the total 106,261 Covid-19 cases in the last twenty days from August 30 to September 18. In addition to this, 37.54 percent of total 1092 Covid-19 deaths were reported during the same period, according to the data received from the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Haryana. Data further reveals that about 85.25 per cent of the total infected persons who died till September 18 in the State due to the virus had comorbidities.
Talking to The Pioneer over the phone Haryana Director General of Health Services Dr Suraj Bhan Kamboj said that the Health department has improved its Covid-19 testing considerably over the months. Covid-19 testing has doubled in September in comparison to August. Around 2,200 Covid-19 cases on an average are being reported every day over the last 20 days. It is a concern for us. One of the reasons behind the rise spike is the flouting of Covid-19 norms. Also, more people are getting themselves tested following Haryana government’s decision to allow walk-in for Covid-19 test without prescription.
He said, “We are working hard to contain the spread. People need to follow Covid-19 guidelines and maintain social distancing rules. In view of the rising cases, the State administration suggested infected people home isolation. It has been observed that 80 per cent corona-infected patients recover from it if they follow necessary guidelines of the health department. The Health Department has issued new guidelines, wherein emphasis has been laid on in-person visits by ‘District Home Isolation Monitoring Team’ on every alternate day.”
The DG Health said that around 60 to 70 per cent of the corona infected persons are in home isolation. There is a need to augment the home isolation policy so that the patients are provided appropriate care and treatment. The asymptomatic and symptomatic patients, who are in home isolation, usually are unable to follow the guidelines like staying in a separate room, a separate toilet, a caregiver to look after the needs of the patient. The ‘District Home Isolation Monitoring Team’ will visit the patient on alternate days to monitor if the guidelines are being followed.
According to data, 63,282 Covid-19 cases were reported on August 30 and after 20 days, the number of cases increased to 106,261 on September 18.
Dr Kamboj said that the State has a fatality rate at 1.03 per cent. Health department continues to focus on three Ts that are testing, tracing and treatment to prevent fatalities. Department has set a target of keeping the fatality rate below one percent.
Figures suggest that about 85.25 per cent of the total infected persons who died till September 18 in the State due to the virus had comorbidities. Diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disorder in which blood sugar levels are abnormally high, has emerged as the single biggest comorbidity factor (an existing medical condition) in the deaths of patients infected with coronavirus in Haryana.
A State Government doctor said that multiple comorbidities means that the patients had more than one existing medical condition such as hypertension and diabetes or renal function impairment which affected their conditions. “Patients with comorbidity are immunocompromised and their organs are also not in a good shape,” he said.
About 931 of the total 1092 infected persons who died till September 18 in the state due to the virus had comorbidities. “Our experience is that a number of coronavirus infected patients admitted in hospitals have quite high levels of blood sugar. This is because either they have diabetes or pre-diabetes. Also, the stress of the Covid-19 infection in a patient can result in an adrenaline surge, thus increasing the blood sugar levels. The infection can also lead to fall in insulin level due to the steroids given to patients,” said Dr Dhruva Chaudhary, who is also the nodal officer for Covid-19 in Haryana.
Meanwhile, as the cases in Gurugram continue to soar, Amit Khatri, Deputy Commissioner, Gurugram has directed all government and private hospitals in the district to reserve at least 35 per cent beds for Covid-19 patients.