RMCH counts 17 more fatalities at Covid-19 unit

Some 17 more people died at Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital (RMCH)’s Covid-19 unit during the last 24-hour till 6am today, taking the death toll to 83 so far this month, adding to 566 in July and 405 in June.

RMCH Director Brig Gen Dr Shamim Yazdani told newsmen that eight were female among the deaths, reports BSS.

Five of the deceased were the residents in Rajshahi, four from Natore, three each from Chapainawabganj and Pabna and one each from Naogaon and Kushtia districts, he said.

Among the deaths, six tested positive for Covid-19, eight had its symptoms and three with post-Covid complexities, he said, adding that yesterday's fatality figure was 14. They were aged between 31 and 65.

Yazdani said the hospital also had counted ever-highest 25 fatalities caused by Covid-19 on July 14 and June 29 last since the pandemic began.

Some 39 more patients were admitted to the designated Covid wards of the hospital afresh during the time, taking its number to 391, including 188 tested positive for Covid-19, against 513 beds.

Another 20 patients are undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital. Thirty-six other patients returned home after being cured during the time.

Meanwhile, 46 people were found positive for Covid-19 after testing 193 samples in Rajshahi's two laboratories on Wednesday, showing 23.89 percent positivity rate.

The positivity rate was 24.93 percent on Tuesday, 27.74 percent on Monday, 27.17 percent on Sunday, 32.71 percent on Saturday, 24.32 percent on Friday and 22.88 percent on Thursday last.

Yazdani opined that demand for oxygen has been rising continuously for the last couple of months in the wake of a surge of patients in the hospital.

Over 8,000 liters of oxygen are being supplied to the Covid-19 patients every day on an average in the hospital at present but the daily oxygen demand was only 2,500 liters in around two months back.

The oxygen demand has gone up by around 3,000 liters, particularly during the last couple of weeks, on an average.

He said over 60 percent of the new Covid-19 patients admitted to the corona unit of RMCH are from villages, reiterating that awareness among the villagers is less compared to the urban people.

Despite symptoms they hesitate to go for tests. Only they are coming to the hospital when they feel worse. Then we have nothing to do for them, they are dying, he continued.

Yazdani said utmost attention should be given to the villages along with urban areas as the fatality rate among the villagers is more and the grave situation is aggravating day-by-day there.

Apart from the administration and health workers, public representatives, political activists and volunteers should come forward and work together, otherwise, the situation may be further more alarming, he mentioned.