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Delhi smog raises number of patients with breathing problems

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7 years ago

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New Delhi, Nov 9 (IANS) The alarming pollution in Delhi has led to at least 20 per cent increase in the number of persons complaining of cardiac/respiratory problems this week, officials said on Thursday.

“There has been around 15 to 20 per cent increase in number of patients seeking treatment for respiratory and cardiac issues,” All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Director Randeep Guleria told IANS.

Similarly, Safdarjung Hospital witnessed a 15 per cent rise in number of patients while Fortis Hospital in Vasant Kunj area recorded 25 per cent increase in patients with breathing problems.

Sir Ganga Ram Hospital had on Wednesday indicated rise in number of such patients by 25-30 per cent.

The city has witnessed record pollution levels, including smog, affecting normal life and leading to closure of educational institutions in Delhi till Sunday.

The Central Pollution Control Board data indicated average Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi on Tuesday at 446 — with major pollutant PM 2.5, or particles with diameter less than 2.5 mm, recorded at 418 units. It was the worst AQI after 403 recorded for October 20, a day after Diwali.

Speaking to reporters earlier, the AIIMS Director had warned that about 30,000 persons may lose their lives in the National Capital Region alone due to current pollution levels, numbers which, he said, he had extrapolated from the number of hospital admissions.

Guleria also likened the current environmental situation in Delhi with the “Great Smog of London in 1952” that was “estimated to have killed nearly 4,000 persons within a week”.

–IANS
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Corona

Covid toll in Karnataka is a worrying sign for state government

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3 years ago

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May 4, 2022

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Even though Karnataka recorded the lowest number of Covid deaths in April since the virus struck first in 2020, the state is recording a rise in the positivity rate (1.50 per cent). Five people died from the Covid infections in April as per the statistics released by the state health department. In March, the positivity rate stood around 0.53 per cent. In the first week of April it came down to 0.38 per cent, second week registered 0.56 per cent, third week it rose to 0.79 per cent and by end of April the Covid positivity rate touched 1.19 per cent.

on an average 500 persons used to succumb everyday in the peak of Covid infection, as per the data. Health experts said that the mutated Coronavirus is losing its fierce characteristics as vaccination, better treatment facilities and awareness among the people have contributed to the lesser number of Covid deaths.

During the 4th and 6th of April two deaths were reported in Bengaluru, one in Gadag district on April 8, two deaths were reported from Belagavi and Vijayapura on April 30. The first Covid case was reported in the state in March 2020 and three Covid deaths were recorded in the month. In the following month 21 people became victims to the deadly virus, and May 2020 recorded 22 deaths. The death toll recorded everyday after May crossed three digits. However, the third wave, which started in January 2

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