Over 18k Covid-affected need hospital treatment in Telangana

HYDERABAD: Currently, 18,147 Covid- 19 infected people need treatment at hospital, either oxygen or intensive care unit (ICU) support in the state. In other words, 18% of the 81,135 active cases are being monitored, but the positive side of the situation is that most people on oxygen support are recovering well.
Ever since the first case was reported in the state in March last year, percentage of patients needing serious treatment reached current peak level. ICU beds are mostly occupied in private hospitals, 5,648 people have been admitted, whereas private hospitals offer 6,547 ICU beds. In all, 6,747 patients are in ICU, including just 200 in government facilities. Number of people on oxygen support is also high, 11,600 (7919 in private, 3681 in government)

Though the government had announced that 3,000 more oxygen beds would be available soon, they are yet to become operational. Doctors said that those on oxygen beds were recovering better than those patients admitted in intensive care units (ICU).
“Those on oxygen are taking about a week to 10 days to recover with some exceptions, while a few patients receiving oxygen become serious. With right and timely dosage of steroids, they recover. There is no need to panic, generally,” Dr Paramjyothy, professor and head of department of pulmonary medicine at the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) said. The latest guidelines say that even before proceeding to oxygen support, steroids could be given to those having high-grade fever.
With the oxygen supply turning critical, the state committee of higher officials on oxygen availability in the state has instructed all district officials to update information on oxygen usage in the hospitals twice a day. Instructions have been relayed to use oxygen only for patients in need.