Hospitals in Kerala’s Ernakulam face full capacity with spike in influenza, fever cases

Hospitals in Ernakulam, a district in Kerala, are grappling with full capacity as a surge in influenza, fever, and other infectious diseases like H1N1 and leptospirosis has been reported. Major hospitals, both private and government-run, are operating at full capacity for several weeks and are seeing a significant rise in inpatient admissions for fever and influenza cases.

Dr. Anoop Joseph, superintendent of Government Medical College, Ernakulam, attributes the influx to the typical spike observed in June and July. Despite the surge, the hospital management has not resorted to creating additional fever wards, suggesting the situation has been manageable so far. However, patients are complaining about the difficulty in securing hospital rooms due to high occupancy.

Dr. Joseph also notes an increase in the severity of the disease this year, possibly due to a change in the virus variant. Patients who contracted influenza or viral fever are struggling to find private rooms, with some having to be discharged at their own risk and others waiting in the hospital casualty for hours. Private hospital spokespersons attribute the surge in influenza and fever cases to the growing preference for private rooms over wards.

The situation is further compounded by the fact that the hospital is also handling regular surgeries, accident, and trauma cases, leading to full capacity utilization. Similar sentiments are echoed by other hospital spokespersons, highlighting the strain on their facilities. Medical professionals stress the importance of adhering to proper cough etiquette and personal hygiene measures to prevent the spread of diseases and alleviate the patient load during the monsoon season.