Gujarat has reported a total of 151 COVID-19 deaths till 26th April. On a day, the state saw 18 casualties, out of them 8 had co-morbid conditions and 10 had no ailments. It has been observed that in a majority of deaths recorded in the last one month, the patients had at least one or more co-morbid ailments.

The data has suggested that in Gujarat approximately 71 per cent of the total patients who died from 23rd March to 25th April after contracting coronavirus, were suffering from some underlying disease.

The most prevalent condition that was found among the coronavirus patients who died is hypertension and almost 55 of them were reported with it. 49 of the patients reported diabetes. In many cases, patients were suffering from both the conditions. Hypertension and diabetes, were seen in patients above the age of 40 years.

Of the deceased cases, 8 patients had kidney problems and 12 patients suffered from cardiac ailments and one patient had liver disorder. 6 of the coronavirus patients had a history of lung disease or previous respiratory ailments.

According to the state health department, 5 patients suffered from mental illnesses, one was cancer patient, one was dengue patient and one was tuberculosis patient. One patient had epilepsy and one person had hypertension.

Out of the 4 minor patients in the age group of 0 to 20 years who succumbed to coronavirus, only one suffered from mental illness while the others had no co-morbidities. Out of the 4 deceased in the 20-40 years of age group, two had hypertension, one suffered mental illness and one from dengue. Out of the 54 people who died in the 40 to 60 age group, 70 patients had co-morbid conditions and many of them were suffering from more than one ailment at the time of contracting the virus.

More than half of those who died after contracting coronavirus were above 60 years of age. Dr Kamlesh Upadhyay, HoD of Medicine department at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital stated that as age increases, the immunity of the body changes and is altered by other co-morbid conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. If a patient is already taking some steroids, that can changes the effect of treatment for coronavirus. Other causes of death include delayed arrival of the patient for treatment and the onset of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Dr Upadhyay said people with diabetes and other complaints should be very careful. During Ramzan followers are prone to fasting. Therefore, people of advanced age and having diabetes should consult their doctor before they start fasting.

Dr Tushar Patel, a senior intensivist and pulmonologist said that many deaths in Gujarat and throughout the country are among people having co-morbid conditions causing pulmonary embolism. The 27 patients who at present are on ventilator are elderly with co-morbid conditions.

Source: ET Healthworld