Patna: The capital city is witnessing a gradual increase in COVID-19 infections, with 12 new cases identified in the past two days, including six on Friday alone. This brings the total number of active cases in the district to 22. Currently, 20 infected individuals are recovering in home isolation, while two have already recovered.
However, the official health department data will reflect an additional three new infections from Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) starting tomorrow. According to Civil Surgeon Dr. Avinash Kumar Singh, the current count of active cases in the district stands at 17.
Recent Cases and Testing Insights
On Friday, private labs reported two positive cases: a 38-year-old woman from Golaroad and a 55-year-old woman from Hanuman Nagar. Additionally, a 25-year-old youth from Phulwarisharif, associated with AIIMS Patna, also tested positive.
NMCH also reported a fourth infection on Thursday, but due to the Prime Minister’s program, the data was not immediately integrated into the Health Department’s records.
Over the past week, five individuals at AIIMS Patna, including two doctors and two nurses, tested positive. At NMCH, nine people, including an intern doctor and eight others who sought treatment in various departments, were found infected. Two private pathology labs also identified positive cases.
NMCH Reports New Cases, Including Intern Doctor
On Friday, the microbiology department at NMCH conducted tests on 26 suspected individuals, with three returning positive results. Dr. Prof. Sanjay Kumar, Head of the Department, confirmed that one of the newly infected individuals is an intern doctor at NMCH.
The other two new cases include a 26-year-old man from Patna NTPC and a 45-year-old man from Kadamkuan, Patna. Another case is a resident of RPS turn. Two of these patients presented with symptoms of cold, cough, and fever at the medicine department’s OPD, while one was scheduled for surgery at NMCH. All infected patients have been advised to isolate at home.
Expanding Testing Efforts
Civil Surgeon Dr. Avinash Kumar Singh announced that COVID-19 testing will soon be expanded to all primary health centers, including major hospitals like PMCH, IGIMS, New Gardiner Road Hospital, and NNJP Bone Hospital. The necessary testing kits are currently awaited, with an expected increase in district-wide testing from Monday.
Dr. Singh emphasized that patients visiting OPDs with symptoms such as cold, cough, sore throat, or fever should undergo a COVID-19 test. Furthermore, all patients scheduled for operations are already being tested in hospitals.
It’s worth noting that two days prior, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department had instructed an increase in COVID-19 testing in hospitals. However, as of now, major institutions like IGIMS, PMCH, and RMRII are not conducting widespread COVID-19 tests. NMCH is currently only testing patients visiting its OPD or those scheduled for surgery.
