Ecstatic Scene Mark Discharge Of 16 Covid-19 Patients

Asif Iqbal

Srinagar, April 14 (GNS): In further relief to Jammu and Kashmir, sixteen persons treated for the COVID-19 were discharged on Wednesday after their two consecutive test results came back negative. Thirteen among them were discharged from a nursing home here, days after they were shifted from Chest Disease Hospital. Three others were discharged from Bandipora.

The scenes at the nursing homes were ecstatic and as soon patients stepped out, applause greeted them. A flower bouquet was presented to every individual as happiness was distinct on their faces despite wearing masks. Not only the patients, the happiness and the joy was palpable on every “Covid-19 warrior” including doctors and paramedical staff.

“You want to know how we recovered?” a patient told GNS correspondent as he was heading home after several weeks. “It was by the grace of Almighty and tireless efforts by doctors and all other staff. We were simply like someone in a detention centre but they cared a lot for us. We don’t have words to express our gratitude to all of them. They gave us second life,” the patient said.

A female patient while expressing gratitude to the doctors and other staff said: “Their behaviour was so good that we recovered almost 50 percent immediately. They all worked tirelessly so that we are able to live again”.

A lady doctor at the nursing home pleaded everyone not to “ostracize” these patients, underling that they are as good as any normal human being.

“Please don’t ostracize them. They are part of us and God forbid, anybody can get infected. They are absolutely disease free,” she said.

Another doctor seconded her: “They should not be singled out in any manner. They are as normal as any ordinary human being.”

Renowned pulmonologist and HoD Chest Disease Hospital, Dr Naveed Shah also reiterated that these persons are normal.

“Two tests were conducted on them in a span of 24 hours. Both come out to be negative after which they were discharged today,” he said, adding, “They have fully recovered. They are completely asymptomatic. They can live life like any ordinary person and there is no threat.” He said they have been sent home as per the guidelines and shall remain in home quarantine.

Dr. Naveed said these patients have “consented” for plasma therapy to be used “in case there are complicated cases.”

“That is very good gesture on their part and it will be a help to treat complicated patients,” he said. 80 percent cases in Kashmir Valley, he said, have very mild symptoms or are asymptomatic.

“Complication rate is very less compared to countries which are severely affected,” he said and urged people “not to panic.”

Meanwhile, three more persons were discharged from Bandipora, taking the number of recovered patients in the north Kashmir district to 5. (GNS)