This story is from July 9, 2020

Surat: Doctors at high risk, 131 test positive since outbreak

As Surat witnessed spurt in Covid-19 cases post Unlock 1, the frontline warriors working relentlessly in the Diamond City are increasingly falling prey to the deadly virus. At least 131 doctors have got infected with the coronavirus, with majority of them getting the infection in June.
Surat: Doctors at high risk, 131 test positive since outbreak
SURAT: As Surat witnessed spurt in Covid-19 cases post Unlock 1, the frontline warriors working relentlessly in the Diamond City are increasingly falling prey to the deadly virus. At least 131 doctors have got infected with the coronavirus, with majority of them getting the infection in June.
According to the data from the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC), 128 doctors and 120 paramedics including nurses have been infected with the virus till date.
About 70% of these cases have been recorded post June 1, when the cases started peaking in the city.
The Indian Medical Association’s (IMA) Surat chapter has been keeping a close count as more and more of their peers—physicians, interventionists, orthopaedics, radiologists, gynaecologist and general surgeons—have become victims of Covid-19.
In the last fortnight or so, 35 doctors from the New Civil Hospital (NCH), 25 private practitioners and 15 nurses from NCH, SMIMER and private hospitals were reported positive for the virus.
Official sources in the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC)-run SMIMER hospital said that there is a shortage of about 200 medical officers including pulmonologists, anaesthetics, general physicians etc. due to the rising cases of Covid-19. Currently, the SMIMER hospital has about 250 doctors, which includes resident doctors. Recently, about 350 nursing staff was appointed in the SMIMER hospital, but about 25% are yet to join their duties.

Dr Parul Vadgama, president of IMA-Surat told TOI, “From the last four months, doctors and healthcare staff in private and government hospitals are working day and night to treat Covid-19 patients. They are continuously exposed to the virus. Despite taking utmost precautions the frontline warriors are getting infected for corona.”
Dr Samir Gami, pulmonologist and the Covid-19 survivor said, “The Covid-19 cases have crossed 200 mark per day and doctors are continuously being exposed to the patients. I myself contracted the virus despite taking precautions while examining the patients. It is worrying that if more doctors will be infected in the city, patients will be left at the mercy of the god.”
However, the medical fraternity is still confused on the large number of doctors getting infected.
Dr Chandresh Jardosh, president of IMA Gujarat told TOI, “Whether the doctors contract infection from the patients or from the environment is the matter of investigation. The immunity levels of the doctors could be low as they are not getting proper diet due to their eight to 10 hours of duty. Doctors wear PPE kits in the Covid-19 ward, but when they move out after the duty hours, they are exposed to the virus.”
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