On Thursday, the outpatient department (OPD) at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital (LNJP) witnessed a huge influx of patients complaining of breathlessness and infections. The hospital staff stated that this has been a normal scenario at the hospital since Diwali, with a constant rise in the numbers.

The doctors at the hospital stated that after talking with the patients, they found that some of them already had respiratory illnesses that were worsening due to the increasing toxicity of the air. They added that some patients, especially children and the elderly, had complained of prolonged coughing and sneezing since Diwali.

Dr. Suresh Kumar, the medical director, stated that toxic air causes severe illness, and after Diwali, the hospital witnesses this surge every year. However, the major cause of concern is that so many healthy individuals are complaining of one or another breathing issue in Delhi this year. He added that the doctors prescribe antiviral or anti-infection medicines to the patients, but there have been cases where people with comorbidities were admitted to the ICU due to worsening symptoms.

Several experts have advised that people should not step out of their homes, especially during the early morning hours, as the situation is worse during that time. The diet should also include antioxidants and a lot of green vegetables.