High Covid fatality rate due to late hospitalisation: Dr Rajo
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 04 2020: The State is witnessing high COVID-19 mortality rate owing to the late admission of the infected patients, said Director of Manipur Health Services K Rajo.

The Director made the statement during a weekly press briefing on COVID-19 update jointly organized by the Directorate of Health Services and National Health Mission at the Directorate's office complex at Lamphelpat today.

It was the 5 th media briefing (held every Friday) after a high level Central team of the Health Ministry instructed regular weekly media briefing on COVID-19 status.

Citing that 77 out of 294 COVID-19 victims have died within 24 hours of their admission for treatment, K Rajo stated that the Health Department is working sincerely with dedication in fighting against COVID-19 pandemic since the last 8 months.

As per the instruction of Central teams, representatives of RIMS and JNIMS were also included in today's media briefing.

K Rajo stated the State has so far recorded 25,356 positive cases of which 22,170 have recovered.

Currently there are 3700 active cases and 294 deaths have been reported so far, he said while adding that more than 4,28,199 persons have been tested for COVID-19 in the State.

The number of positive cases is rising rapidly as the State is experiencing festive season, rituals and other ceremonies, he said.

While urging all to strictly follow COVID-19 appropriate behaviours, he also appealed all not to get overexposed to the cold as there is a fear that the COVID-19 cases may rise during the winter season.

He further stated that the COVID -19 patients who were admitted at the late hours have very low chances of recovery.

The State has so far witnessed 77 cases of death within 24 hours of hospitalization as most of them were brought unconscious and were experiencing difficulties in breathing, he said.

There are another similar 52 cases of death within the 48 hours of hospitalisation of the patients and 33 within 72 hours of hospitalisation, said the Director.

Saying that if the patient shows up in the early stage and is administered proper antiviral treatment, there is a very low chance of death, he appealed all to not to hide and come forward for treatment as early as possible.

Imphal West district has the highest death rate reported in the State with 104 deaths followed by Imphal East with 64 due to COVID-19 as of today and there is no report of any death in Senapati, Jiribam and Pherzawl, he said.

Among hospitals, JNIMS recorded the highest number of deaths with 163 cases, followed by RIMS with 91, Shija Hospital with 46 and Raj Medicity with 20 and among the 294 death cases 209 are males and 85 females, he said.

He further stated that disciplinary action will be taken up against the doctor and other health care workers who fail to provide proper assistance and treatment to the COVID -19 patients and regarding it, 4 doctors and one nurse have been suspended so far.

He continued saying that Sero Surveillance in the State covering 64 villages, has been started from November 30 onwards and till today and 23 villages have been covered.

1518 persons have been tested out of which 140 were found positive for the virus.

He also said that 10 percent among persons who underwent tests during Sero Surveillance were already found to have antibody.

Maintaining that discussion on how to decrease COVID-19 testing fee is underway with all concerned, K Rajo reiterated his appeal to the public to wear mask, maintain physical distance of 6 feet and to wash hands regularly as there is no other means of protection from COVID-19 till a vaccine is produced.

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