2 more Covid deaths in Maharashtra, but infection still mild, say doctors

Time of India

2 days ago

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UMBAI: Two elderly women with diabetes, one each from Kolhapur and Satara, died due to Covid-19, taking the total fatalities in the state in the current surge since mid-May to 10.
Despite the deaths and active cases rising to 483 in Mumbai, city doctors say infection remains mild, even among older patients with serious pre-existing conditions.
For instance, at Bombay Hospital, an 87-year-old woman with multiple high-risk conditions, including diabetes, kidney disease, a history of Hodgkin's lymphoma in remission, and a recent tuberculosis diagnosis, tested positive for Covid-19 after being admitted with breathlessness.
"She was critically ill and needed support from a BIPAP machine to help her breathe," said Dr Gautam Bhansali, a consultant physician and infectious disease specialist at the hospital. "But her condition stabilised, and her Covid-19 test on Saturday came back negative. Her breathing is now normal, and she is recovering," said Bhansali.
Another patient, a 77-year-old man admitted to the same hospital after suffering a stroke, also tested positive for the virus.
"He suffered complete paralysis on one side of the body and had a lung infection. But he is off oxygen support now and recovering well," said Bhansali. His family told TOI he was shifted from Nashik for treatment after the stroke.
Doctors said that while people with comorbidities remain more vulnerable to complications, most do not require hospitalisation this time. "Still, individuals with existing conditions should take precautions like masking," said Dr Bhansali.
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The eight other deaths since last month included those with COVID-19 along with severe diabetes, stroke, cancer, and interstitial lung disease.
Explaining why some, despite comorbidities, survive, Dr Anita Mathews, an Infectious Disease Specialist at Fortis Hospital in Mulund, said outcomes depend on a range of factors. "Muscle strength, body weight, how early treatment starts, all of this matters," she said.
She added, "We're seeing no lung involvement during this surge. Even patients with HIV or pregnant women who test positive are recovering without aggressive treatment.
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A doctor at KEM Hospital, where two deceased patients were found Covid-19 positive in mid-May, said no Covid patients are currently admitted. Pulmonologist Dr Jalil Parkar at Lilavati Hospital said any Covid-19 admissions there are because patients were insisting. "There is not a single critical patient here," said Dr Parkar.