Improper contact tracing behind surge in Solan

Tribune News Service

Solan, December 1

Covid cases have once again registered a spurt in the district as a majority of the patients are reluctant to reveal their contact history despite being contacted by the authorities.

As many as 674 cases have been reported in the last 10 days with the highest number of 293 cases being detected in Solan subdivision. Improper contact tracing led to fewer people being tested. The district has reported 52 deaths and more than 4,900 cases till Monday.

In the latest case, a 50-year-old woman from Dagshai, who tested positive for the virus on November 29, was referred to ESIC, Katha, the same day. She was in serious respiratory distress and died within hours of being hospitalised.

She was required to be shifted to a higher medical institute, but the non-availability of a bed in the ICU delayed her further referral, said Medical Superintendent, Solan, Dr NK Gupta.

In another cases, a 69-year-old man, who had tested positive in Solan on November 21, and was admitted to MMU Medical College, Sultanpur, died due to a cardiac arrest last evening.

SDM, Solan, Ajay Yadav said, “Few patients reveal their contact history accurately while a majority were reporting bare minimum contacts. It is lamentable that people do not understand the seriousness of this situation and are seen roaming around freely. Instead of cooperating, they prefer to hide information and this is aggravating the situation.”

"It has been observed that people are relying more on self-treatment and got themselves tested only when the infection had reached an advance stage. People have also started stocking oxygen cylinders at home as deaths due to depletion in oxygen levels are increasingly coming to the fore," said a medical officer in Solan.

“More field hospitals should be authorised for testing so that a positive patient can be sent directly to MMU Medical College or the dedicated Covid hospital at ESIC, Katha. Currently, people are referred to Regional Hospital, Solan, for testing and the precious time is lost. More ambulances should be provided for Covid patients to avert delay," said the medical officer.