Children, elderly people should be careful: GMCH Superintendent

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Assam witnessed a sharp spike in COVID-19 cases on Monday. The State registered 6,982 positive cases yesterday. The overall positivity rate was 10.75 percent. In Kamrup (metro) district alone, 1,491 positive cases were detected on Monday.

Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Superintendent Dr Abhijit Sharma said, "In the earlier two waves of the pandemic, fever was a common symptom among COVID patients. However, in the third wave, people without fever are also testing positive." He further said, "If the positivity rate keeps increasing, the third wave peak will hit us soon and the daily cases may increase to 10,000 or more. It is advisable for children and elderly people, especially with comorbidities, to stay at home for at least a month."

Dr Sharma said that at present, nine children infected with COVID-19 are admitted in the PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit) of GMCH with oxygen support while 30 persons are admitted in the ICU. Among them, most people are above 60 years of age.

As the ongoing third wave of the pandemic has been presumed to be less severe, most people are opting for home isolation. On Monday, 235 people were recommended home isolation from the emergency ward while 25 people were recommended for home isolation from the emergency COVID ward of GMCH.

The GMCH Superintendent said that there was adequate number of beds available for COVID patients in GMCH and at the Kalapahar Covid Care Hospital and Sarusajai Covid Hospital. He also urged people to follow COVID appropriate behaviour to prevent the further spread of the virus.

Also Read:  '1,147 beds vacant at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital'

Also watch: