NEW DELHI: Delhi reported a surge of pollution over the past one week and the pollution touching “severe levels” in a number of places in Delhi. A number of patients have reported suffering from respiratory complications and other ailments within the national capital.
Delhi had recorded its coldest day ever in the month of December on Monday, with the maximum temperature being at just 9.4 degrees Celsius.
According to AIIMS director Randeep Guleria, there has been a rise of 15-20 percent in the number of patients visiting out-patient departments (OPDs) or emergencies with respiratory and cardiac ailments. He said,
“The cold in Delhi at present is more severe than the hilly regions and with the mercury dipping, there is an increase of almost 15-20 percent in the number of patients in OPD.”
Patients suffering from heart problems also are at risk. Some may even face hypothermia, a medical emergency when the body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature.
Guleria reiterated that there has been a sudden increase in cases of influenza, viral infections among others and advised people to keep themselves properly covered while going out and go for morning walks when the temperatures go higher.
The Centre-run RML and Safdarjung hospitals also saw around a 20 percent increase in the number of patients in OPDs.
Minakshi Bharadwaj, medical superintendent of RML hospital said: “Patients are coming with complaints of influenza, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, exacerbation of asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory ailments.”
