Tura, July 28:
Brief
– 7-month-old among two fresh deaths due to Covid-19 in West Garo Hills
– 97 percent death rate among unvaccinated of all Covid-19 deaths
– Symptomatic or positive patient can now go on their own to hospitals without waiting for ambulances
– Covid dead bodies can now be taken home after hospital formalities are completed to give them decent burial
– Burial assistants need not wear full PPE at sites, as long as they are properly masked
– Any person having cold or flu like symptoms lasting more than 5 days should immediately seek medical help at nearest PHC/CHC or nearest hospital. Rural folks can seek the help of ASHA/ Anganwadi Workers
Full Report
Tura, July 28: Two people have died from the Covid infection including a 7-month-infant in Tura, the youngest so far, with 97 percent of all Covid-19 deaths in the past week in West Garo Hills District being individuals who did not get vaccinated and had also delayed their own testing and getting to a doctor or hospital.
The mother of the 7-month- old infant had been infected with Covid and though she survived, her child sadly passed away. According to an official medical report, the mother had not been vaccinated against the virus.
The second victim was aged 70 years from Hawakhana, Tura who suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away. A test on him at the hospital found him to be positive for Covid.
A high level meeting of the Committee for Covid Death Audit (CAD) on Wednesday discussed urgent measures to reduce preventable Covid deaths.
The committee was alarmed with the recent findings from a health survey which showed that 97 percent of all covid deaths were patients who did not take the vaccination for the infection.
Another finding showed that 95 percent of all Covid deaths took place because the victims delayed seeking medical treatment and testing.
People were also found to be seeking alternative medicines or visiting informal practitioners and not getting any relief were seeking hospitalization only at a later stage which is too late for treatment resulting in their deaths.
New measures
– To prevent deaths, it has been decided that anyone symptomatic or tested positive can go by themselves to hospitals without waiting for ambulances to ferry them as this would help to simplify the process and de-stigmatise those who test positive to seek early treatment in a way they find convenient and visit the nearest PHC/CHC or hospital of their choice.
– Also, since many elderly people have expressed their refusal to test, be declared positive, get admitted and die alone in the hospital without any dignity, the West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh said that all Headmen and Community Leaders would be informed that Covid dead bodies can now be taken home after the formalities are completed in the hospitals to give them decent burial by following the protocols issued.
– Burial assistants need not wear full PPE at sites, as long as they are properly masked and no breach happens, like being unmasked or near each other.
– A health alert has been given to all that any person having cold or flu like symptoms lasting more than 5 days should be asked to immediately seek medical help at the nearest PHC/CHC or the nearest hospital while those living in remote villages are to seek the help of ASHA/ Anganwadi Workers who would facilitate necessary urgent medical help in consultant with Medical and Health Officers concerned.
