Ahmedabad: Gujarat was hit hard during the second COVID wave, with around 5,314 deaths registered in 61 days in April and May, as per government data. This represents an average of 87 deaths a day or around one death every 15 minutes.

It seems that nearly 30% of the patients had hidden health conditions which were not mentioned in their medical records. Clinical autopsies brought to light conditions like ischemic cardiac issues, TB and bronchitis.

Dr Kalpesh Shah, professor and head of forensic medicines department at B J Medical College, stated that autopsies of 31 patients who had died of COVID-19 were performed. Dr Harish Khubchandani and Dr Deepak Voraanalyzed the data, including medical history and biological markers as well as condition of internal organs. Around 67% of them were aged above 60 years and 33% were below 60 years of age. 

Dr Khubchandani said that comorbidities were found to be predominant in the deceased patients. Around 87% of them had one or more comorbidities, such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiac issues, etc. Just 13% had no underlying health conditions. Around 30% of the patients were not aware that their heart or lungs were not functioning properly or had probably ignored the signs. Nearly 76% of patients had ‘hard’ lungs and close 70% had increase in lung weight by about 2-3-fold. Dr Vora said that the lungs also had micro-thrombosis. Several patients were also found to have diffused alveolar damage (DAD).

Source: ET Healthworld