CHANDIGARH: Amidst the ongoing pandemic, around 50 cases of covid-19 and dengue co-infection have been reported. Punjab Cases where patients have tested positive for both Covid and Dengue.
Dengue (disease caused by the dengue virus) occurs in some co-infected patients, while Covid – the respiratory disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2 – is the predominant co-infection in others.
Since most of the Covid cases are asymptomatic, health experts have warned that in case of co-infection, the combination can increase the severity of both the diseases.
Dengue outbreaks during the ongoing pandemic have put increased pressure on doctors, as it is not easy to differentiate symptoms due to the overlapping clinical presentations of the two diseases. “Timely diagnosis and proper management are essential to avoid the devastating complications of severe forms of co-infection,” Gupta said, adding that he also emphasized on reconfirmation of dengue serology in the Covid-infected.
Dr Gupta also called for the need to develop a precise point of care test to prevent both diseases.
Unprecedented cases of dengue have been reported in Punjab this year. The state has already crossed the previous high of 15,398 dengue cases recorded in 2017 by registering 16,129 cases. In addition, there have been 61 suspected deaths till October 30. From 2018 to 2020, there was a steady decline in dengue cases in the state. Mohali tops with 2,531 cases, followed by Bathinda 2,114, Hoshiarpur 1,504, Amritsar 1,489, Pathankot 1,479, Muktsar 1,242 and Ludhiana 1,198.
Dr Gagandeep Grover, Punjab nodal officer for vector-borne diseases, attributed the increase in cases to increased testing, prolonged monsoon and lack of public participation. As against 18,000 tests conducted last year, the health department has collected and tested 40,680 samples so far this year.
Dr. Grover said that during the inspections carried out by various teams, water splattered was noticed in most of the houses, which became an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. “The government is making every effort and the public needs to take all precautions and keep the surroundings clean,” Dr Grover said.
covid beds for dengue patients
As the rapid rise in dengue cases straining the health infrastructure, the health department has authorized government hospitals to use the beds reserved for Covid-19 patients. Punjab Covid-19 Nodal Officer Dr Rajesh Bhaskar said that the number of people who are bedridden for Covid has come down significantly. He said that the beds reserved for Kovid can be used for treating dengue patients if needed. Health department data said that 9,357 oxygen beds out of 9,565 were vacant as of 5 pm on October 30, while 1,541 out of 1,596 ICU beds were vacant.
Dengue (disease caused by the dengue virus) occurs in some co-infected patients, while Covid – the respiratory disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2 – is the predominant co-infection in others.
Since most of the Covid cases are asymptomatic, health experts have warned that in case of co-infection, the combination can increase the severity of both the diseases.
Dengue outbreaks during the ongoing pandemic have put increased pressure on doctors, as it is not easy to differentiate symptoms due to the overlapping clinical presentations of the two diseases. “Timely diagnosis and proper management are essential to avoid the devastating complications of severe forms of co-infection,” Gupta said, adding that he also emphasized on reconfirmation of dengue serology in the Covid-infected.
Dr Gupta also called for the need to develop a precise point of care test to prevent both diseases.
Unprecedented cases of dengue have been reported in Punjab this year. The state has already crossed the previous high of 15,398 dengue cases recorded in 2017 by registering 16,129 cases. In addition, there have been 61 suspected deaths till October 30. From 2018 to 2020, there was a steady decline in dengue cases in the state. Mohali tops with 2,531 cases, followed by Bathinda 2,114, Hoshiarpur 1,504, Amritsar 1,489, Pathankot 1,479, Muktsar 1,242 and Ludhiana 1,198.
Dr Gagandeep Grover, Punjab nodal officer for vector-borne diseases, attributed the increase in cases to increased testing, prolonged monsoon and lack of public participation. As against 18,000 tests conducted last year, the health department has collected and tested 40,680 samples so far this year.
Dr. Grover said that during the inspections carried out by various teams, water splattered was noticed in most of the houses, which became an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. “The government is making every effort and the public needs to take all precautions and keep the surroundings clean,” Dr Grover said.
covid beds for dengue patients
As the rapid rise in dengue cases straining the health infrastructure, the health department has authorized government hospitals to use the beds reserved for Covid-19 patients. Punjab Covid-19 Nodal Officer Dr Rajesh Bhaskar said that the number of people who are bedridden for Covid has come down significantly. He said that the beds reserved for Kovid can be used for treating dengue patients if needed. Health department data said that 9,357 oxygen beds out of 9,565 were vacant as of 5 pm on October 30, while 1,541 out of 1,596 ICU beds were vacant.
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