Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (MS)
Bengaluru, Jul 9: The number of deaths due to Covid in the state reached 35,434 on July 6. When it comes to India, the state is in the second position behind Maharashtra and in the first position in South India.
Nearly 50% of the fatalities are in the age group of 50 to 80 according to the statistics released by state Covid war room.
Delay in reaching the hospital for medical treatment and time-consuming tests are the reasons for the death toll to mount higher in the state. In addition, Covid patients who had diabetes and heart ailments have also died.
C N Manjunath, director of Jayadeva Heart Research Institute said that comorbidities related to lungs, heart, diabetes and malnutrition are also the factors that are contributing to the death of Covid-infected patients.
Maharashtra has recorded the highest number of deaths so far in the country after the pandemic started. Tamil Nadu recorded 33,059, Andhra Pradesh, 12,870 and Kerala 13,818 Covid related deaths. Rajasthan recorded 8,941.
According to the statistics released, till July 6, in Karnataka 10,165 people in the age group of 60 to 69 years, 7,774 in the age group of 50 to 59 years and 6,872 people in the age group of 70-79 years have died due to Covid.
Dr Sathyanarayan, HOD, Pulmonology, KMC hospital, Bengaluru says that no research has taken place as to which variant of Covid has caused most deaths in the state. He said that they have observed that H type of virus was found in patients who had Hypoxia and issues related to oxygen. Those who had an acute infection of the lungs had L type of virus.
Doctors of Karnataka opine that the L strain of coronavirus was more prevalent in Wuhan of China. If the type that was found in our state is also L, then it might be the reason for more deaths.
Experts state that more deaths can be prevented by following suitable precautions by the public.
Dr Ravindra Mehta said, “By conducting more tests, we can be prepared for future Covid variants. Increasing vaccination, renewing fundamental facilities of healthcare and learning lessons from earlier waves will prevent deaths."
“Karnataka faced extensive healthcare issues during the second wave of coronavirus due to non-availability of oxygen and other fundamental infrastructure required for emergency care. Mumbai did not face any shortage of fundamental resources. But Karnataka faced acute shortage of oxygen, medicine, equipment and other requirements.”