People still avoiding tests, delaying consultation

Manmeet Singh Gill

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 6

While the number of deaths and positive cases in the district has increased exponentially after the recent spurt in infections, the health experts believe that many people were still not getting tested.

They said many critically-sick patients seek medical help when the oxygen saturation drop too low.

Take in consideration the case of a 70-year-old male patient, who had been experiencing symptoms for the last seven days. The patient was reluctant to visit a hospital and was shifted this morning after the saturation level dropped to 70.

People should immediately isolate themselves on experiencing any symptom. As a next step, they should get themselves tested for Covid-19 and consult a doctor. Proper care at the earlier stage can help in fast recovery. —Dr Charanjit Singh, Civil Surgeon

In another case, an elderly woman was shifted to GMC in a critical condition three days ago after her condition worsened and oxygen saturation level reading was merely 40. The medical experts said in many cases, patients avoid coming to the hospital or consulting a doctor till the condition deteriorates.

They said sometimes such patients could be spreading the infection to others as proper safety protocol required for care of Covid-19 patients was not followed at homes properly and in most cases, the caregiver, too, gets infected.

The doctors said getting tested for Covid-19 still seems to be a taboo as even in case of experiencing symptoms related to the viral disease, the patients were still getting chest X-ray and scans for confirmation.

A doctor with a private hospital said: “We have seen patients coming when the oxygen saturation level has gone below 50. People continue to be on self-medication until the condition worsens.”

Civil Surgeon Dr Charanjit Singh said people should immediately isolate themselves on experiencing any symptom associated with the disease. “As a next step, they should get themselves tested for Covid-19 and consult a doctor,” he said, adding that proper care at the earlier stage can help in fast recovery.

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