Chennai: Hospitals, mainly doctors and nurses, are currently on the frontline of duty trying to contain the spread of Covid-19.
But, for those who are at home, what should they do in case if they feel symptomatic of the disease? Should they go to a private hospital or a government hospital? Where and how should they test for the virus? How the government hospitals are treating people with symptoms? News Today tried to find out answers for the above questions.
The way to control coronavirus spread, according to WHO, is Test, Test, Test. A doctor working at a private hospital which has approval to treat Covid-19 patients said, “In the city, handful of labs are approved by the Indian Centre for Medical Research (ICMR). As many as six centres are conducting tests.The number of centres may increase if more patients are tested positive. As of now, 24 hours are taken for a test result, but the government is working to deliver it in six to eight hours.”
The coronavirus lab test facility is available at King’s Institute of Preventive Medicine and Research, Guindy, based on a doctor’s prescription. Doctors will give prescription only if a person is symptomatic or has a travel history.
The other approved places are Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Government Stanley Hospital, Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Research Institute, Apollo Hospitals and Hi Tech Lab’s Guindy facility. Recently, Lister Lab has got the approval, but it is yet to start testing. While the tests by State government are done free, a private lab would charge Rs 4,500.
What happens during the test?
People with cough, cold, fever and other symptoms can approach doctors, who, if convinced, would recommend for tests. “There are two tests, blood test and swab test. In swab tests, a special cotton swab will sample the inside of the throat and nose. The swab tests include, a nasal aspirate, a tracheal aspirate and a sputum test”, a doctor said.
Another doctor said, “After a patient is confirmed with Covid-19 and treatment is started, blood samples are given during three stages. The patient is discharged only after the results are negative. With symptoms, the patient can go to any hospital for treatment, but in case the test is positive, a government hospital is recommended for further treatment. But it is again the choice of the patient. The treatment protocol followed is same as that of treating pneumonia.”
X-rays are also a main factor. The patients will be treated until the chest infection is completely gone. Blood test, saliva tests are done. Meanwhile, they will also undergo tests for dengue, typhoid and malaria.
Government hospitals are better
The study is better at government hospitals, say doctors. “Special teams have been set up and people are given person attention. No one is being ill-treated,’ says a source. ‘Many hesitate to get admitted to government hospital mainly due to stigma surrounding it. But that is not the case,” it adds.
Dr Jayakumar of Stanley Hospital said, “Government run hospitals are better, as they have all facilities in one place. If you want any specialist, they are available at any given time, unlike private hospitals where you have to wait for them for an hour or two as most of them are consultants or on call.”
He said, a common treating protocol and rules are followed here. For Covid-19 patients, separate wards are available. Ventilators are ready with all facilities. In terms of hygiene, the hospital is thoroughly cleaned and the premises is being mopped multiple times.
Private focus
Adequate staff, isolation wards, waste disposal methods, patient and doctor safety are assessed before granting approval to private hospitals. Ramachandra, SIMS and Apollo are among the 20s hospital which have approval to admit and treat Covid-19 patients, a source said.
More cases expected
Anticipating more cases in first week of April, the State government hospitals have 1,500 beds ready. Omandurar Government Multi Super-Speciality Hospital has 500 beds, Stanley Hospital has 300 beds and Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital has 300 beds. At all private hospitals which provide treatment under Chief Minister’s insurance scheme, 20 per cent of the beds have to be kept ready for Covid-19 patients.
Note these numbers
The helpline numbers for any queries on Covid-19 are:
* Central helpline number (toll free)- 1075+91-11-23978043.
* Tamilnadu Helpline Number- 044-2951 0500.
E-mail – [email protected]