People who recovered from Covid-19 should stay indoors this festive season: Doctors

PATNA: As people are all set to celebrate Diwali, the health experts have warned that bursting of crackers or inhaling the emanating smoke may put the vulnerable section at risk, especially those who have recovered from acute respiratory distress syndrome by the SARS-CoV2 virus that causes Covid-19.

The doctors advised people, whose lungs have been weakened by the Covid-19 infection, to stay indoors and wear face mask as the polluted air from firecrackers may hinder the healing process.

Dr Sanjeev Kumar, nodal in-charge for Covid-19 at AIIMS-Patna, suggested that people who suffered from severe respiratory illness should stay at home during Diwali and avoid huge gathering. “In the second wave, most of the patients suffered from lung and breathing problems and many of them are still coping with post-Covid symptoms. In such a situation, pollution by bursting of crackers will add to their trouble,” he said.

He cited a recent study on people with post-Covid symptoms, which revealed that some of them were experiencing hearing loss. “Bursting of crackers also creates noise pollution besides emitting hazardous smoke. Noise pollution can affect the inner parts of ear. Those who wish to burst crackers should use the one which emits less smoke and not causes noise pollution. But do not cause trouble to the vulnerable people,” Dr Sanjeev said.

Dr Mukul Kumar Singh, an epidemiologist at Nalanda Medical College and Hospital-Patna, said those who were severely infected with Covid-19 in the second wave should wear mask most of the time to keep them safe from polluted air, especially during Diwali. “It takes almost six months to over one year for the lungs to recover. If people fail to take precautionary measures, it will be dangerous and harmful for their health,” he said.

“People should avoid fireworks during Diwali, especially those who have asthma, citizens above 60 years of age, small kids or have recovered from severe symptoms of Covid-19,” he advised.

Dr A K Ashu, joint director at Indira Gandhi Institute of Cardiology (IGIC), advised Covid recovered patients to be more cautious during Diwali as many of them developed pneumonitis which has severely scarred their lungs tissue. “Scarring of lungs tissue could be permanent if they are not sincere towards their health. They have to keep themselves away from pollution, especially harmful pollutants released from fireworks. They should also put on mask and avoid gathering as virus transmits through the air,” he said.

The data reading from some areas having continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations have from poor to moderate AQI level, which was 212 in Rajvanshi Nagar and 210 in Samanpura. The overall AQI level of Patna was recorded 171 at 4pm on Monday, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).