KOLKATA 14 JULY : Dr Yogiraj Ray, a senior virologist and assistant professor of School of Tropical Medicine in Kolkata, who is currently positioned at the Beleghata ID Hospital says that he has witnessed a sudden surge in the critically-ill Coronavirus patients within the last three weeks, where most of the patients require immediate ventilation. Dr Ray has finished his DM course in infectious disease from AIIMS Delhi.
Dr. Ray , handpicked by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for his dedication, was bestowed with the additional responsibility of supervising the CoVID-19 infrastructure at a few Howrah hospitals.
“Some patients nicknamed me Corona doctor and I loved it. In fact, I feel that a Corona patient needs a steady mental support much more than supportive medical treatment. It’s because the moment you are detected positive with the virus, you are immediately ostracised by the society.
“I enjoy each of my days with the Corona patients and I really feel satisfied when I get to witness their jubilant expressions, which becomes more evident when I touch their forehead. Every single patient has showered their blessings on me and that keeps me going,” Ray added.
According to Ray, when a patient is admitted to a hospital he or she stays fine for the first three days . However, it has been observed that from the fourth day patients turn critical as the virus begins to damage the internal organs. This may last for the next 13 days. If a patient can fight it out during this crisis , also known as Cytokine storm, only then can they survive. A cytokine storm is when the body’s natural immunity system overeats and attacks the healthy cells too .In some cases, the condition of a patient worsens during this stage and he or she has to be put under ventilation immediately. Chances of survival in such conditions are slim, he says.
Ever since the Coronavirus pandemic began in West Bengal, doctors from all hospitals sought medical advice from him, particularly, for critical cases of Coronavirus.
For the last four days, Dr Ray has been constantly working round the clock at the Beleghata ID hospital.
A resident of Dum Dum, Dr Ray said, “ I have been at the Beleghata ID Hospital for the last three days. I don’t know when I’ll be able to go home. Thankfully, I get to see and speak to my daughter at least via video calls.”
He also confessed that all hospitals treating Coronavirus patients are under enormous pressure and with the huge spike in the number of critical Coronavirus cases the situation has become way more challenging.
Surge in Coronavirus cases in the last three weeks
Dr. Ray opines, that there is no doubt about the fact that Coronavirus cases has constantly been on the rise after tests increased. However, in the last two to three weeks there has been considerable growth in the number of critical CoVID-19 cases.
As of today, 24 deaths have been reported in the last 24 days. A total of 1390 fresh cases have been reported in the last 24 hours in the state. While some of the Coronavirus patients were admitted to hospitals at an extremely late stage , others with co-morbidities’ also required urgent ventilator support.
When asked about the a significant number of patients being refused to get their relatives admitted , Dr.Ray stated “Beleghata ID Hospital is not refusing any patient yet, but I did hear that a number of health workers are shrugging off their responsibilities and have showed reluctance to treat the Coronavirus patient in fear of getting infected . As a result, despite the availability of enough beds in government hospitals, patients are being refused admission .”
Dr Ray revealed that there are currently 118 beds available at the Beleghata ID Hospital. The Union Health Ministry has also provided 10 additional ventilators, besides the eight ventilators that are functioning at present. However, there is a requirement of more such ventilators.
Besides treating patients , Dr. Ray is also working with his colleagues Mr Dipyaman Ganguly, professor of Institute of Chemical Biology, on the plasma therapy technique for curing Coronavirus patients.
According to senior doctors who are working with Dr Ray on plasma therapy, “There has not been enough plasma donors for undergoing the research on plasma therapy. As a result, we are urging every COVID19 recovered patient to donate their plasma so that the research can be initiated.”
Dr Ray added, ” The Coronavirus strain is fast changing and that has put us in a challenging situation. For example, earlier, patients with co-morbidties were turning critical, but now with the fast-evolving strain of the virus, asymptomatic patients are also turning critical.”
The Corona Warrior declared that a team of doctors has now decided to study the CoVID-19 virus strain in Bengal to find out the emergence of any new strain.