The Covid-19 unit at RMCH has lost 21 more lives

The Covid-19 unit at RMCH has lost 21 more lives

Special Desk :    |    ০৩:২৬ পিএম, ২০২১-০৮-১০

As of 6 am today, 21 more people have died at the Covid-19 unit at Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital (RMCH). The death toll so far this month is 160, against 566 in July and 405 in June. Briggen Shamim Yazdani, director of the RMCH, told newsmen that nine of the deceased were female. Among the deceased were ten residents of Rajshahi, four from Naogaon, two from Pabna, two from Chapainawabganj, and one from Natore. He added ten of the deceased were over 61, seven were between 41 and 50, and three were between 31 and 40 years old. Five of the victims tested positive for Covid-19, 14 showed its symptoms and two had post-covid-19 complications.  As of this moment, an additional 43 patients were admitted to the special Covid wards of the hospital. The number now stands at 380, including 197 patients with positive Covid-19 tests, against 513 beds. The hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is treating another 20 patients. During that time, 44 other patients were cured and returned home.

Yazdani said the infection rate has decreased in Rajshahi to some extent compared to yesterday.

The two Rajshahi laboratory locations found 88 Covid-19 positives out of 381 samples tested on Monday, a 23.10 percent positivity rate.

Positive sentiments were 27.25 percent on Sunday, 34.63 percent on Saturday, 30.21 percent on Friday, 23.82 percent on Thursday, 23.89 percent on Wednesday, and 24.93 percent on Tuesday.

He repeated that villagers are less aware of this disease compared to urban people, saying that 60 percent of the new Covid-19 patients to RMCH's Corona unit come from villages.

“They are reluctant to seek medical attention despite symptoms. Only when they feel worse do they go to the hospital. Then there is nothing we can do for them because they are dying."

Yazdani noted that villages and urban areas alike need special attention. This is due to the higher death rates in the villages as well as the deteriorating situation they are experiencing every day.

Apart from the administration and health workers, public representatives, political activists, and volunteers should come forward and work together, otherwise, the situation may be furthermore alarming, he mentioned.

He also opined that oxygen demand has enhanced to a greater extent for the last couple of months in the wake of a surge of patients in the hospital.

Over 8,000 liters of oxygen are being supplied to the Covid-19 patients every day on an average in the hospital at present but the daily oxygen demand was only 2,500 liters around two months back.

 The oxygen demand has gone up by around 3,000 liters, on average, particularly during the last couple of weeks.