Nagpur: Covid patient in your neighbourhood? Don’t panic, say health workers, doctors

NAGPUR: With Covid patients being detected from many new localities in Nagpur, many are panicking in the neighbourhood of the new patients. According to officials of health department and doctors, this panic is unnecessary and one must avoid it.
Post lockdown, the increase in number of Covid-19 patients is not shock or surprise for the authorities. As per the projected figures of health department, more than 3,500 cases are expected in Nagpur by July 15. They say the hospitals and administration are prepared for this.
“There is no need to panic if someone from your locality, society, or in your building tests positive. That doesn’t mean you are at risk. If we follow Covid distancing, avoid unnecessary outings, and touching risky points like lift buttons, railings, we can stay away from the infection,” said Dr Shubham Ingle, who is working in Covid ward at GMCH.
The panic among people is visible these days and the feeling of insecurity and fear takes over as soon as the news of someone from their neighbourhood tests positive. At once, people start enquiring about names, whereabouts of the patients and ban entry of outsiders in their locality or housing societies and even house helps, newspaper delivery boys and milkmen.
“Doctors treating Covid-19 patients in hospitals are exposed to the infection many more times, but we stay safe because we follow precautionary measures. If we can stay safe, why not you all?,” he asked.
Dr Mukul Deshpande of Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) said that not a single resident doctor in Nagpur has got infection in last 100 days despite treating hundreds of patients on a regular basis.
“As doctors, we have to wear some additional protection gears like PPE kits. But common people can be safe with simple masks and regular hand washing,” he said.
Doctors also said that having a positive asymptomatic patient in neighbourhood is not a big worry.
“In Delhi, Mumbai and Pune, asymptomatic patients are allowed to stay at homes as they are facing shortage of hospital beds. As far as the patient is in isolation, there is nothing to worry,” said Dr Angha Pandit.
In worst case scenario, if one gets infected by some or the other way, there is no need to panic. Nagpur has enough number of beds and quality treatment at GMCH, IGGMCH and AIIMS. While GMCH now has 600-bedded facility, Mayo has 550+ beds. AIIMS not only gives a pair of uniforms and footwear to all patients, but also has facilities like TV and music system, and cartoon shows for kids.
“I was in AIIMS Nagpur for 10 days and it’s a world class hospital. Apart from good treatment and nutritious food, we used to get good music to listen and all this for free,” said a patient who recovered recently. Recovery rate of patients in the city is more than 66%.