Pune: Critical patient number crosses 500; mortality rate may rise in coming days

Pune: While there is a shortage of ICU, oxygen and ventilator beds in municipal and private hospitals in the city, the number of serious or critical COVID-19 patients has crossed 500 mark. This can lead to a higher mortality rate, medical experts have warned.

The condition of several patients with comorbidity worsens during the treatment for Covid-19, which is a major reason that the number of deaths due to Covid-19 in Pune city is inching towards the 1000 mark. Despite these alarming numbers, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Health Department chief is confident that the recovery rate of critical patients is much high and proper healthcare facilities are being provided to them.

PMC has increased the number of tests conducted daily in the city. Now, the civic body is testing around 6,000 persons every day which is reflected in the rising number of Covid-19 positive cases identified daily. With this rising case count, the number of critical patients who need oxygen support, ventilator support or ICU treatment is also rising. The municipality and private hospitals are not having that large number of beds with a ventilator or oxygen support facility which is a cause of worry. Several patients, including a scientist, have succumbed to the Covid-19 disease due to unavailability of these beds.

Dr Sanjeev Vavare, Assistant Head of Health Department of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) said, “We have increased the number of tests conducted daily, which is why we are seeing a spike in the number of Covid-19 positive cases as well as critical patients. These patients are being treated in time and are being provided with all possible healthcare facilities. About 50 per cent of critical patients who are on ventilator or oxygen support or in ICU are recovering.”

Private hospitals, on the other hand, are not cooperating with the administration. The number of beds available for treatment is shown higher on the dashboard, but in reality, when a patient or relatives reach hospital they are denied admission citing reasons like shortage of beds. The private hospitals are wary of government and PMC rules with regard to reimbursement of patient treatment costs.

COVID-19 IN PUNE

• ICU beds in municipal hospitals: 100
• Critical patients: 519
• Patients on ventilator support: 199