As complications rise, govt shifts focus to post-Covid care

Bhubaneswar: With many patients showing symptoms even after recovering from Covid-19, and some even passing away, the state government is now focusing on long-term care of recovered individuals.
Additional chief secretary (health) Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra on Monday said more than 85% of Covid patients with no symptoms or mild symptoms were not showing any post-Covid complications, but a miniscule percentage was coming back to hospitals with complications aggravated by comorbidities.
“Our team of experts are advising patients on dos and don’ts depending on their clinical condition. They are sensitising them to possible complications and such patients are encouraged to seek treatment in hospital,” Mohapatra said.
“All the medical colleges are ready to deal with post-Covid care. Like Covid patients, the condition of Covid-recovered patients will continue to be monitored,” he added.
Senior BJD MLA Pradeep Maharathy had to return to hospital within two days of his discharge on September 28 with post-Covid bilateral viral pneumonia complicated with bacterial pneumonia, urosepsis with scrotal cellulitis and severe acquired respiratory distress syndrome. He died of septic shock with multi-organ failure leading to cardiac arrest on October 4. Maharathy had type-2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and morbid obesity.
Nihar Ranjan Parida (60), a physician posted at Jaypatna community health centre in Kalahandi district, had died on August 27, three days after he was discharged from a Covid hospital on August 24. Parida had been admitted in a Covid hospital in Bhubaneswar on August 15 after he tested positive for the virus.
Alok Kanungo, a known diabetologist and founder chairman of Kanungo Institute of Diabetes Specialities, said people discharged from hospitals after treatment of Covid infections must note the fact that the virus might have gone, but the damage caused by it to internal organs might lead to complications.
“Many people are reporting strokes and cardiac arrests. Post-Covid, one must guard against comorbidities and self-monitor their blood sugar and blood pressure. In case of any doubts, one should consult a doctor,” Kanungo said.
Jayant Panda, the government’s technical adviser on Covid-19, said weakness and fatigue for some days were common to many patients and were not a cause of worry. However, people should monitor their comorbidities and consult doctors in case of any problem, he added.
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