Rising Covid +ve cases at Cachar Cancer Hospital becomes a major cause of concern

June 6: During the 2nd wave of coronavirus, Assam witnessed an immense surge in the number of fresh cases. The mortality rate in the state also went up considerably. However, gradually though the positivity rate in the state has come down, yet in many of the districts, the numbers are still high. The death rate has increased due to the presence of comorbidity among the positive patients. In Cachar district too, the positivity rate is below 5 percent, but on an average, more than 300 persons are detected Covid-19 positive daily.

Certain figures definitely indicate that everything is not fine as yet. While informing the media about the daily Covid update, DIPRO Cachar also provides number of Covid patients admitted at different hospitals, Covid Care Centres and in home isolation. From this data, it was found that many patients at Cachar Cancer Hospital & Research Centre (CCHRC) were found positive. Last year too, cancer patients at CCHRC were detected positive, but this year, this number has increased considerably.

The number of cancer patients detected as Covid-19 positive on Sunday stands at 34, which is indeed a matter of concern for the patients and their relatives. This number is increasing. On the last day of May 2021, 22 active cancer patients at CCHRC were there, which has now gone upto 34.

Expressing his views, Kalyan Chakraborty, the Chief Administrative Officer of CCHRC said, “Not only the cancer patients are infected with coronavirus, but also the doctors and staff have come in the grip of the deadly virus.” He further informed that out of the 34 active cases at CCHRC, 13 are cancer patients, while the rest 21 are the staff and employees. Even those working in the canteen and accounts section were also detected as Covid positive.

So how and why is Covid-19 spreading its wings at Cachar Cancer Hospital? To this, Kalyan Chakraborty replied that before admitting any patient, his/her Covid test is mandatorily done at CCHRC. But it is not possible for them to know whether the family members attending the patient is positive or negative. Mr Chakraborty doubted that it may be through the attendants that the virus has found its way inside the hospital and has gradually made inroads in almost all the sections. Many nurses employed at CCHRC were also detected positive who too along with the positive cancer patients were kept in isolated ward. This in a way is good for the patients as these nurses are able to take care of the positive cancer patients admitted there, said Mr Kalyan Chakraborty.