Pune: Post-COVID Facilities To Be Launched From October 1, Recovered Patients Facing Psychological, Social Issues
Mehab Qureshi
Pune/Pimpri, September 29, 2020: After acute Coronavirus (COVID19) symptoms, many recovered patients have reported a wide variety of ‘Post-COVID’ illness which includes psychological, neuromuscular and social anxiety issues, informed Pune Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Rao today.
Addressing the challenges faced by the recovered COVID19 patients, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to come up with a post-COVID management plan. “We have decided to come up with an action strategy for the people who have recovered and are facing serious issues which include fatigue, body ache, cough, sore throat, and difficulty in breathing”, said Rao.
The civic body has decided to set up Outpatient Department treatment (OPD) at Sassoon General hospital, Jumbo facility at COEP ground in Shivajinagar, Naidu Hospital, Jumbo facility at Annasaheb Magar stadium (Pimpri) and the Baner COVID facility centre. “Now recovered patients with any ailments can visit these three centres which will start from October 1”, informed Rao.
He further said, “As many as 10-12% of the discharged patients face psychological issues because of the way people treat a COVID patient.Therefore, counselling will be done at these three special facilities”.
A task force team has been trained to take care of the COVID recovered patients. “Each facility will have at least three doctors. Toll-free helpline numbers will be made available for this soon”, added Rao.
When asked about the surge in COVID19 positive cases, PMC Commissioner Vikram Kumar said that there is a decline in the number of cases. “It is false that the testing rate has been slowed. We have increased the testing rate in the city”, he said.
The number of positive rates has fallen- on September 17 when PMC registered 1900 cases while on September 21 there 1700 new patients were reported. Today 1040 new cases were reported in PMC jurisdiction. However, there might be a surge in the number of cases as the festival season is on its way, warned Kumar.
According to Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), the total number of Coronavirus positive patients till date has reached 143,955 out of which 123,829 have been cured while 3446 have died. There are still 16,680 active patients undergoing treatment in various hospitals. They include 938 critical patients out of which 419 are on ventilator support.
