Pune: Patients above 51 years of age make up more than half of those who died due to COVID-19 in Pune.
In the city, of the 46 deceased, 11 were between the age of 51 years to 60 years, and 14 were between 61 to 70 years as per the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). Experts share the need for more testing and proper care of the elderly.
The mortality rate of patients between age 51 to 60 is 12.25 per cent, between 61 - 70 years is 18.03 per cent, and 71 to 80 years is 20 per cent as per a recent report by the Medical Education and Drugs Department, Maharashtra government.
Speaking about the death rate among high-risk patients, Dr Avinash Bhondwe, President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Maharashtra state said that at present death rate among patients who are above 60 years of age is more. This trend is also visible globally.
“Patients who are above 60 to 75 years old age are globally seen to be infected faster and have faster disease progression and high mortality rate. Also, patients with co-morbidities like diabetes, cancer and other diseases show worsening complications due to COVID-19. In the state as well as the city, the situation is the same,” said Dr Bhondwe.
Hence, he advised, high-risk patients, should continue their other medicines and treatment in time. “Also, they should immediately consult a doctor in case of early symptoms. Many patients feel they should wait for a day or two before consulting a doctor. This should be avoided,” said Dr Bhondwe.
He also added that many patients do not come forward when they have symptoms as they hesitate.
“Early detection is the key. Around 15 days back, patients with foreign travel and who were in direct contact of a patient were only tested for COVID. Now everyone with symptoms is tested. This testing should be increased. In case of late detection, we see that many lose their life. Hence, patients should themselves come forward and get themselves tested and treated as soon as possible,” said Dr Bhondwe.
Dr Mahesh Lakhe, Consultant Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease at Columbia Asia Hospital Pune suggested several measures to prevent the spread of infection to a vulnerable population.
“Firstly, we should test robustly with rapid testing methods and isolating patients from vulnerable populations. Secondly, ‘Reverse quarantine’ of those vulnerable individuals in their houses be put in place,” said Dr Lakhe.
He added that isolation and social distancing in ‘Hotspot’/'Red-zone’ areas should continue even after lifting the lockdown.
“Moreover, controlling hypertension, diabetes and other chronic diseases with diet and medicines in consultation with your doctor on video or telephonic consultation rather than visiting crowded clinics unless a dire necessity,” said Dr Lakhe.
He added that vaccination of these vulnerable populations should be done as soon as the vaccines are available for COVID.
