Cases of post-Covid complications on rise

Ruchika M Khanna
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, December 1

As Punjab battles high case fatality rate for Covid-19, another battle awaits the already stretched healthcare sector in the state as post-Covid complications rise.

Worst-hit districts : Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Patiala and Mohali

“Hospitals in the state are reporting a rise in cases of recovered patients suffering from long-term conditions like blood clots, heart attacks, paralysis and breathlessness. There is a steady increase in patients reporting such conditions and coming to post-Covid care centres at medical colleges in both private and public healthcare sector,” Dr Rajesh Bhaskar, Punjab’s nodal officer for Covid, told The Tribune.

In figures

Case Fatality Rate 3.1

Positivity Rate 2.5

Deaths reported today 14

New cases today 630

A 58-year-old businessman from Ludhiana, who had got the viral infection in September and recovered, suffered a heart attack last week. “I had no cardiac issues before I got Covid-19. As recommended by the doctor, I took blood thinners for a few days post recovery, but later stopped taking it. I am told that heart attack is a result of post-Covid complications,” he said.

Dr Bishav Mohan, a cardiologist in Ludhiana, said they were monitoring post-Covid complications in patients. Patients, who were categorised as severe cases of Covid, were recommended to take blood thinners for four to six weeks.

“A study by the World Health Federation is underway at Delhi, Ludhiana and Hyderabad to check how many patients suffered moderate to severe cardiac issues post recovery. Though the study is still underway, initial reports prove that the incidence is on the higher side,” he said. Dr Mohan is the investigator of the study at the DMCH, Ludhiana.