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

Hospitals in Ernakulam district of Kerala, located in Kochi city, are grappling with full capacity due to a surge in influenza, viral fever, H1N1, and leptospirosis cases. Major hospitals, including both private and government institutions, have been operating at full capacity for several weeks, reporting an influx of patients admitted for fever and influenza.

Dr. Anoop Joseph, superintendent of Government Medical College, Ernakulam, noted a spike in patient admissions for influenza and viral fever, emphasizing that the increased number of cases is as expected, given the months of June and July often witness a rise in such cases. He assured that while the situation is serious, it has been manageable thus far.

Dr. Joseph also pointed out that unlike in previous years, the severity of the disease has worsened, with patients experiencing more severe symptoms and prolonged recovery times, potentially due to a change in the virus variant.

Patients like Meera Suresh, who contracted influenza along with her family at a private hospital, faced difficulties securing a private room due to the high occupancy. Similarly, Devaki Bhaagi, an actor, had to wait past midnight in the hospital casualty, hoping to secure a private room for her daughter who was suffering from viral fever.

Eventually, they had to leave the hospital and return the next day after finding a room late at night. Private hospital spokespersons attribute the surge in influenza and fever cases to the preference for private rooms over wards, which has strained their capacity. They also noted that with the ongoing surgeries, accident cases, and trauma cases, they have been running at full capacity for some time.

Another hospital spokesperson spoke about the high number of referrals and high-risk cases of fever and influenza, stating that all beds are occupied, and they are trying to accommodate as many referrals as possible.

Medical professionals recommend adhering to proper cough etiquette and personal hygiene measures to prevent the spread of diseases and alleviate the patient load in hospitals during the monsoon months. Dr. G. Sathyajith Nair, a pediatrician and secretary of the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP), Cochin Branch, emphasized the importance of these precautions and advised people to avoid crowded places without masks and to stay home if they are sick to prevent the spread of the infection.