Despite a strict lockdown, Pune district recorded 1,848 fresh cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, taking the total cases to 42,863. Of these, 27,725 have been discharged or recovered. A total of 1,102 reportedly recovered on Wednesday. The total number of deaths recorded in the district amounts to 1,176 with 35 deaths reported on Tuesday.
Pune city currently has 10,64 active cases of which 502 are critically ill. 76 patients are reported on ventilator support (invasive and non-invasive) whereas 315 patients are serious.
Dr Ramchandra Hankare, PMC's health chief revealed that, in the last four months, 1.78 lakh people have been tested.
Of the 35 deaths reported on Tuesday, an 84-year-old from Shaniwar Peth was the oldest fatality.
Of the dead reported was a retired scientist of Botanical Survey of India, Dr P Lakshmi, 61, who succumbed to the virus due to shortage of ventilators. Pune City Congress Committee's general secretary, Ramesh Iyer said, “I was in contact with the family in their trying times. The patient was admitted at a private hospital on Tuesday, wherein they were told that the patient might have to be put on ventilator. We tried at multiple places, but could not get a ventilator so finally we took him to Sassoon where he was declared dead on Wednesday. There was a queue for ICU beds.”
The Indian Medical Association's Pune chapter has now suggested that private doctors should be allowed to treat patients in government COVID-19 care centres.
The IMA has supported the request for a patient's regular doctor to treat the patients. Authorities have said that they are considering the advice. The government has also directed private hospitals to increase their capacity and keep a check on their bills.
In a meeting called by divisional commissioner's office Saurabh Rao, to resolve the problem of shortage of beds. The district administration, private hospitals and civic bodies also discussed the need to keep a check on the exorbitant bills charged to patients.
Dr Sanjay Patil, president of IMA Pune chapter, said, “We have suggested that the doctors should be allowed to treat the patients referred by them at the COVID-19 care centres since they have rapport and know the history. This can reduce the shortage of medical staff.”
District collector, Naval Kishore Ram, confirmed that he had received a proposal from IMA. “We have asked the hospitals to increase the number of beds slotted for COVID-19 treatment and have given them a little time to work through their issues. Action will be taken if the complaints of exorbitant bills are not resolved,” he was quoted by a media house.
