Coimbatore: Covid hospitalizations go up as cases spike

COIMBATORE: The daily count of Covid-19 cases has been on the rise in the district since July 9, when the caseload was just 118, and has touched the peak of 187 on Friday. While the fresh cases slightly dropped to 179 on Sunday, when 168 patients recovered from the viral infection, the test positivity rate stood at 9.5%.
As per the health bulletin, there are 1,232 active Covid cases in the district presently and nearly 110 of them are undergoing treatment in various hospitals. A health department official said the hospitalizations were increasing gradually and appealed the public not to let their guard down.
The official, however, said only less than 2% of the hospital beds earmarked for the Covid patients in the district were occupied as of now.
Speaking to TOI, Dr P Aruna, deputy director of health services, said nearly 10% of the Covid patients in the district were hospitalized, while others were kept in home quarantine. She said the virulence of the virus was not that severe and the patients were exhibiting only mild symptoms like sore throat. “Most of the infected people in the district are asymptomatic.”
Pointing out that the daily caseload in Chennai was on the decline, Aruna said that was because the state capital had reported a spike when Coimbatore was reporting fewer cases.
She said the situation must not be taken lightly and urged the public to follow all precautionary measures and get vaccinated.
When asked about the vaccination drive in the district, Aruna said the health department had inoculated almost all the eligible population. “The effect of the vaccine dampens within six months of getting the jab. That is the reason why we need a precautionary or booster dose to enhance immunity.”
Aruna said the private firms, industries, institutions or organizations could approach the health department to organize vaccination camps to inoculate staff.