Positivity rate and admissions on the decline
Tata Main Hospital (TMH) has detected 20 positive cases for the omicron variant of Covid-19. Out of 180 samples sent on January 3, Bhubaneswar-based Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) confirmed the existence of the variant among 20 patients after conducting the genome sequencing of the samples. Another 160 were detected to be sub lineages of the Delta variant.
During a telephonic media interaction, Dr Rajan Choudhry, advisor, and former general manager, medical services, Tata Steel on Friday said that they have received the findings today afternoon from Bhubaneswar and they are yet to carry out a detailed study of those tested positive. He also informed that reports of 121 other samples sent for genome sequencing are awaited.
The advisor informed that the spread of COVID-19 cases has started showing some signs of improvement in the city. Going by the trends, it seems that the third wave in the city has reached its peak and has started to decline.
He said that the Covid-19 positivity rate has reduced from 42.30 last week to 24.90 this week. The admissions have also reduced to 100 this week while 221 patients were admitted last week. The hospital has witnessed a total of 7670 admissions so far. The deaths at the hospital have also reduced to 18 last week to 15 deaths this week.
“ Apart from treatment of patients we are equally focussed on vaccination. So 2.95 lakhs vaccines have been administered out of which 1.15 lakh took both the doses while 1945 people have received beneficiary doses. Going by the downward trends of cases we have also closed our Covid centre at KSMS campus in Sakchi.
Dr Rajan Choudhry despite the trend of the virus, one must continue to follow COVID-19 appropriate behaviour including wearing of mask, hand sanitisation, social distancing and avoid crowded places.
“We need to be careful in the coming days as the downward trends should continue for the next two weeks. We should continue to avoid crowding, wear masks and follow social distancing. This will reduce the chances of spread of the virus. If we remain serious about the protocols the virus will further reduce significantly,” he noted.
The advisor also said that TMH is also focusing on the post Covid19 care clinic at its OPD. Sensing the need of those patients who recovered from coronavirus, the hospital will focus on post Covid care.
“The impact of the virus is reducing but we need to be careful. We should celebrate the festival with family and friends but we must avoid crowding. Masks are a must and we must keep a distance of 6 feet. We must adhere to social distance and avoid crowding. If we remain serious about the protocols the virus will further reduce significantly,” he noted.
