Four patients suspected of being infected by novel coronavirus have been admitted in Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases at Hombegowda Nagar in Bengaluru.
“They all are stable,’’ said Dr C. Nagaraj, director of the hospital. “All the four had traveled to China recently,’’ he added.
Of the four samples tested, one has been tested negative. “We are expecting the rest of the reports by tomorrow morning,’’ Nagaraj said. The samples are tested at Pune.
The suspected patients—three men and one woman—kept under observation are in the age group of 20-40 years.
“There is nothing to worry. People are panicked by media reports. In fact, corona is an influenza like virus,’’ Nagaraj said.
He said the hospital is equipped to deal with the situation. “We’ve got a 17-bedded ward, with five beds of critical care and two ventilators. Our doctors and nurses are well trained to handle those affected by the virus,’’ he adds.
Speaking about the challenges, Nagaraj said there are currently no vaccines to prevent the infection or to treat those who are infected. “The infection is treated like any other viral infection. The infected patients are closely monitored and treated symptomatically. They are on antibiotics,’’ says Nagaraj.
A three member Central team visited the hospital on Wednesday.
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Protocol: Detailed history taking, counselling, required investigations, confirmation of reports, antiviral treatment, if becomes critical provision of ICU facilities
Symptoms: These patients usually will have mild influenza symptoms; ICU ward is for very sick patients including those who require ventilator facility
Hospitalisation: When patients are quarantined, they are monitored with required medications and investigations with an intention of curtailing spread of infection in the community.
Preferably single rooms, if available with negative pressure ventilation, are provided to patients. If in common wards, distance between the beds should be at least one metre apart from good cross ventilation.
Ward should have sufficient stock of required drugs including antivirals, PPE kits, N95 masks, portable x-ray, ECH monitors, ventilators.
Food recommended: Good nutritious food with lot of fluids
