KOLKATA: The crowd at fever clinics — launched by several private hospitals to screen, test and treat Covid suspects prior to admission — has swelled over the last week, indicating a rise in number of affected patients. Footfall at these clinics has doubled at some hospitals, forcing some to increase the number of doctors and nurses.
Peerless Hospital has been receiving 50-60 patients at its fever clinic daily for the last week. It had dropped to less than 15 after the second wave ebbed.
“We have five doctors who attend these clinics, depending on the patient flow. Patients with pronounced symptoms are tested for Covid through an RT-PCR test and prescribed medicines. Since all reports are not available in less than 24 hours, those seeking admission are taken to an isolated non-Covid ward. Those testing positive are then shifted to the Covid section and the rest to general beds,” said Peerless Hospital CEO Sudipto Mitra.
Belle Vue Clinic, too, has seen a sudden spurt in patients reporting at their fever clinic with temperature. While the number would be two-three a day till July, this month it has been 12 a day on an average. “We have two doctors and eight nurses posted at our emergency department. A rapid antigen test is done immediately and if the result is positive, the patient is advised admission. An RT-PCR test is still done for further confirmation. We expect a further rise in numbers and may have to depute more doctors,” said Belle Vue CEO P Tondon.
AMRI Hospitals have seen a marginal rise in attendance across its three centres. “We do a CBNAAT test and other tests if a patient reports with symptoms. In some cases, we even do a CT scan. Those testing positive or with pronounced symptoms are advised admission but such cases remain low,” said AMRI CEO Rupak Barua.
Many, especially those with mild symptoms, are refusing admission even after testing positive, said Mitra. “Most of these are young or middle-aged with low-grade fever and mild cough and cold, that can be treated at home. Many are vaccinated and prefer guidance and prescription from our doctors than admission,” added Mitra.
Belle Vue, too, has arranged for screening of home patients through video calls. “Infections are still largely mild and most can be treated at home. Till the number of severe cases rise, clinics should be relatively empty,” said Belle Vue internal medicine consultant Rahul Jain.
At CMRI Hospital, though, the fever clinic remains shut. But it will have to be eventually opened by mid-September, felt pulmonologist Raja Dhar. “Cases are trickling in. Due to vaccination, infection remains mild and manageable at home. So, we are getting frequent calls for long-distance web consultations. As this trend continues, there would be more patients with symptoms visiting hospital, may be, a month from now and the clinic will have to be revived,” said Dhar.
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