Spike in Covid-19 cases in Nagaland in the current second wave of the pandemic has also resulted in more deaths than during the first wave last year.
Another cause of concern is that with all focus being on Covid-19, majority of laboratories in hospitals have, under the circumstances, given miss on crucial tests for histology, haematology and bio-chemistry.
Most patients with terminal cancer or other serious diseases are left with little attention. Some suffer complications during treatment after they get infected with Covid-19.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO), the virus that causing havoc across India in the second wave, is named as the Delta variant of B.1.617.2. This variant is a strain which is more transmissible and also makes it the most dangerous variant yet.
B.1.617.2 has already spread to more than 60 countries, including the U.S., and undoubtedly contributed to the massive wave of cases that has inundated India in recent months.
Nagaland experienced more deaths this time, mostly among the young between the ages of 30 to 45 with majority being in double digits on a single day. Most tragically, in some cases, children lost both parents or either of the parents. In some cases two or more in a family have died of Covid or comorbidities.
The ‘Delta variant’ invades faster and more deadlier. Unless timely and preventive treatment is given, the virus causes fatalities on those with comorbidities such as -diabetes, heart problem, high BP, kidney ailment, lung problems etc.
However, there is fear that the situation could be uncontrollable, if the virus makes it presence in rural areas where health infrastructure is in a woeful state.
Much of the health preparedness has been concentrated mostly in premier urban towns of Dimapur, Kohima and to some extent Mokokchung, where number of beds for Covid are double than at all rural districts which have around 70% of the state’s population. Despite cases showing decline in the lockdown, there are concerns that most are not getting tested.
Recently, Mokokchung saw a record triple digit spike in new Covid cases on June 5 when a total of 164 were tested positive for Covid as against daily single digit figure. This was due to a strategy applied by the District Task Force under DC Mokokchung. The DC reportedly issued orders to residents in all wards not to move out and during which ‘active case finding’ was carried out and revealing the highest ever one day spike of new cases.
Even in Kohima also, random testing in some colonies recorded high number of confirmed Covid positive cases. Many doctors in Dimapur also share the view that the number of daily new Covid cases unofficially could be more than double the official figure.
Random testing across colonies if done, could present a totally different picture and also help in timely and proper treatment and prevent further spread of the virus.
Officials also admit that it was possible that many family members are infected with Covid but not testing after exhibiting symptoms of Covid. These infected choose to self treat at home quarantine.
Much has been reported about the huge expenditure made by the state government on preparation to face the pandemic. However, increasing number of beds or facilities without adequate medical teams cannot ensure saving previous lives .
A majority of Covid patients are either from low income groups or daily wage earners. In government hospitals all patients are provided free diagnosis, treatment and food. However, in private hospitals patients have to bear expenditure for x-ray, CT scan, laboratory charges, medicines and care at Covid ICUs or Covid wards.
In this regard, the state government could seriously ponder over extending the same facilities to those admitted to private hospitals under any scheme so as to many more lives.
The second wave of the pandemic has caused more infections and deaths not only because the Delta variant is deadlier but because of Community Transmission (CT). Though CT took place as early as May last year, the earlier virus is believed to have been milder.
CT is the third stage of a pandemic where the infected person did not catch the virus from some known source diagnosed with Covid-19 but got the virus in a certain area that he/she lives. Also the person was not infected due to travelling to some other location or from a different country. Experts across the world believe that India has entered the community transmission stage. However, India continues to deny the virus is spread through CT.
Inspite of adding the highest number of cases in the world every day, India continues to label itself as a country with no community transmission (CT), opting instead for the lower, less serious classification called ‘cluster of cases’, according to the latest weekly report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on May 11.