Dr Shinde said, "Testing positive for COVID-19 does not mean its end of the world for anyone. Most of the patients recover from this contagious disease and hence there is no need to panic. Just because you are Covid-19 positive does not mean that you need to get hospitalized."
Pune: Cardiologist Dr Rutuparna Shinde has appealed to citizens to not rush to big hospitals after being diagnosed positive for COVID-19 disease, especially those who are asymptomatic.
Dr Shinde said, "Testing positive for COVID-19 does not mean its end of the world for anyone. Most of the patients recover from this contagious disease and hence there is no need to panic. Just because you are Covid-19 positive does not mean that you need to get hospitalized."
"The number of COVID-19 patients is increasing every day in the city. Almost 90 per cent of these patients have mild symptoms like common flu and cold. Once the person's report for COVID-19 is received and if it is positive, then family members, relatives immediately rush to the big hospitals to admit the patient. This has become a common scenario in the city. Many people are calling up to place a request to hospitals for making a bed available for the patient. But only a medical expert can advise whether the patient really needs to get hospitalized or not," Dr Shinde said.
Explaining the nature of COVID-19 treatment Dr Shinde said that even asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients can get good treatment while staying at home in isolation. They should not insist on getting admitted to hospitals. A simple device like pulse oximeter should be used to check the oxygen saturation levels of the patient at an interval of two to three hours. If the patient has an oxygen saturation level above 94 or 95 and if the patient is having symptoms like mild fever, cold and cough, then he or she may not require to be hospitalized.
"If the oxygen saturation level drops below 94 and if the patient has shortness of breath despite taking prescribed medicines, then take advice from a doctor about the need for getting hospitalized."
- Dr Rutparna Shinde, Cardiologist
Suggesting measures to care for a COVID-19 patient, the doctor said down the following point
- In case you test positive for Covid-19, then contact your nearest hospital or the municipal hospital
- Get checked by a medical officer at the nearest fever clinic
- If the Covid-19 symptoms are mild, doctors will advise you to stay at home in isolation
- Immediately start taking medicines prescribed by doctors