44 deaths at SMCH in last 7 days; Dr Bhaskar Gupta cites probable reason for high death rate

May 26: The 2nd wave of coronavirus in India has been a major cause of concern as the country is witnessing a high mortality rate. As in the country, similarly in Assam too, the positivity rate has come down considerably. On 26 May, the positivity rate in the state was 4.91 percent. Though this is a welcome sign, but the death toll in the state is indeed a sign of worry. On Wednesday, 90 persons lost their lives in Covid.

When it comes to Cachar, the last few days witnessed 600 plus positive cases on a daily basis. Over and above, death of many Covid positive patients are reported from Silchar Medical College & Hospital (SMCH). In the last 7 days, a total of 44 patients of coronavirus died at SMCH, which is indeed very alarming. Wednesday (26 May) witnessed around 14 deaths (10 at SMCH, 01 at Green Heals Hospital, 01 at Gracewell Hospital in Silchar, 1 at Karimganj Civil Hospital & 1 on the way to Civil Hospital, Karimganj.

Covid-19 deaths at SMCH in last 07 days:

• 20 May: 03 deaths at SMCH
• 21 May: 04 deaths at SMCH
• 22 May: 06 deaths at SMCH
• 23 May: 08 deaths at SMCH
• 24 May: 06 deaths at SMCH
• 25 May: 07 deaths at SMCH
• 26 May: 10 deaths at SMCH

The last 24 hours witnessed demise of 10 more Covid-19 positive patients at Silchar Medical College & Hospital (SMCH). This was informed by Dr. Bhaskar Gupta, Vice Principal of SMCH. Expressing deep concern, Dr Gupta said that out of 10 deceased on Wednesday, 07 of them died within 24 hours of their admission at SMCH, whereas 01 of them died within 36 hours. He said, “On an analysis, we can say that much of the Covid patients come at Silchar Medical College in a very critical stage and so it becomes extremely difficult for the doctors to save them.”

Dr Bhaskar Gupta further said, “Such critical patients when they come to us, we find that the oxygen level in their body is very less. So on behalf of SMCH we would appeal to the patients and their relatives that please don’t wait and watch the patients deteriorate at home. In most of the cases, we find that the patients opt for home isolation but they do not monitor their oxygen level regularly. As a result, they are unable to understand that they are reaching a critical stage. The moment they find that the patient is too serious and is unable to breath, they bring him/her to SMCH. So then it becomes very difficult for us to cure that patient. So we would appeal that those who are in home isolation and suffering from Covid, please ensure that the moment you notice that the oxygen concentration in blood is less than 94 percent, rush them at once to SMCH or any other nearby hospital.”