‘If symptoms occur, get tested, don’t wait’

‘If symptoms occur, get tested, don’t wait’

“I would like to urge everyone that whenever someone feels that something is not right, they must get themselves tested and not wait, because I have seen that if diagnosed at an early stage, patients can be cured, otherwise it becomes very difficult for doctors to deal with the situation,”

ACP Bimal Kant, district nodal Covid care officer for cops

ACP Bimal Kant, district nodal Covid care officer for cops, was on the frontline, monitoring every situation closely since the start of the pandemic. It was on August 12, while on Janmashtmi duty, when he felt something was not right. He goes on to share his experience…

“We started the duty around 9 in the morning and remained outside till 12 am. I felt an unusual pain in my legs. It was severe and something I had never experienced before. I took paracetamol and went back home. The next day, again, I experienced the pain in the evening and I became feverish. It was on August 14, when high-grade fever reoccurred with shivering. It was then, I got to know that I had contracted the virus. I immediately left for the hospital and got myself tested and the reports were positive. Until then, I was psychologically prepared, because I knew the symptoms were of Covid. So, I remained in the hospital for around five days and then in home isolation. Suffering from this disease is traumatic. I remember when I was discharged from the hospital, I wanted to just flee, reach home, and join duty. I remained in home isolation for 15 days. But I am so thankful to my seniors and my department for their continuous support. Not even a single day passed when my department and Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar didn’t ask about my health. Now, I have recovered and joined back, but I am noticing it''s after effects. I get tired easily and there is always less energy. So, I have been asked by my department that I work only if I feel comfortable. But I am taking a lot of vitamin C and having a concoction of ‘giloy’ to keep myself fit. Also, we lost our ASI to Covid on Saturday, I would like to urge everyone that whenever someone feels that something is not right, they must get themselves tested and should not wait, because I have seen that if diagnosed at an early stage, the patient can be cured, otherwise it becomes very difficult for doctors to deal with the situation.

(As told to Aakanksha N Bhardwaj)