Zilla parishad set to move those with serious symptoms to Pune

PUNE: The Pune zilla parishad (ZP) has now asked authorities of dedicated Covid health centres in five talukas to immediately move patients with serious Covid symptoms to treatment facilities in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad.
The Covid case fatality rate (CFR) in Pune rural is currently at 2.5% — much above the recommended 1% level. But five talukas in the region have registered a CFR of 3%. These are Purandar (3.7%); Bhor (3.6%); Junnar (3.6%); Maval (3.1%); and Duand (3.1%).

The case fatality rate (CFR) is the proportion of people who eventually die from a disease.
Officials from the zilla parishad said they also plan to utilize treatment facilities in neighbouring talukas that have registered a dip in the number of Covid cases.
District health officer Bhagwan Pawar said, “A key reason for the high CFR in these five talukas is the fact that many ignored symptoms such as fever, respiratory issues and low oxygen levels.”
He said moving serious patients will help reduce the CFR in the regions. “Pune city and nearby areas have reported drops in the cases. So it’s now possible to free up ventilator beds and other required facilities.”
Ayush Prasad, the chief executive officer of the ZP, said, “Pune rural has an adequate number of oxygen and ventilator beds right now. Our focus in these parts will remain on early detection. We have observed that even now, at least four to five people with Covid, out of a 100, are reporting late to hospitals.” Prasad added, “There are several factors associated with the CFR during the Covid pandemic. Earlier, Junnar tesil had the district’s worst CFR at over 4.5 %. But within a month that value dropped to 3.6%. Officials there increased testing in the population. We plan to have a similar approach.”