Pune: In Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) limits, almost 29 per cent of patients have recovered and have been discharged after treatment of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In comparison, the figure stands at 23 per cent for Maharashtra.

As per the data furnished by the PMC, from April 28 to May 6, the discharged patients have increased from 203 to 587. From May 1, steadily, at least 50 patients are being discharged every day.

Also, active positive percentage of patients in the city has reduced from 79 per cent on April 29 to 65 per cent on May 6, said PMC officials.

Dr Vichar Nigam, Consultant Physician and Diabetes specialist at Columbia Asia Hospital, Pune said that patients in hospital facilities and in isolation are under treatment and continuous observation. “Their outcome depends on basic health status and their condition at the time of diagnosis,” he said.

“Those with good immunity and absence of long-term diseases like diabetes, hypertension, kidney or liver disease tend to show signs of recovery continuously and hence get discharged after 14 days of treatment. Those diagnosed after disease progression and severe lung or multiorgan involvement sometimes require long-term treatment,” Dr Nigam added.

“Therefore, strictly following social distancing and timely diagnosis shall help everyone irrespective of their basic health status,” said Dr Nigam. 

Speaking to Sakal Times, Dr Avinash Bhondwe, President of Indian Medical Association (IMA), Maharashtra state said that due to strict lockdown, the rate has reduced.

“However, now that liquor shops are open, there are more people on the streets. Due to this, the cases may increase after a few days. Though we have successfully, so far, flattened the curve, the doubling rate as we can see in increasing,” said Bhondwe.

He also highlighted that the death rate in Maharashtra is lower than in other states. For India, as per the report by the State government, the doubling time is ten days.