Rajouri, June 10: The prevailing COVID-19 pandemic has caused innumerable deaths across the world and Jammu and Kashmir, where more than 4,000 people have succumbed to the disease so far, too has had its share of the pestilence.
However, amid the prevailing health crisis, the silver lining is that majority of the people infected with the virus, recuperate thereby instilling some hope amid the gloom and melancholy. And then there are some rare and miraculous recoveries too.
The recovery of ninety-six-year-old Amarnath from border village Sasal Kote of Rajouri district of J&K from the deadly virus is one such inkling in the dark that should provide some reassurance to the common masses in general and the COVID-19 infected in particular.
Amarnath, who contracted the virus a few days ago according to his son Bishamber Lal, had statistics against him given that the elderly have constituted the majority of the COVID-19 victims both in the 1st as well as the 2nd wave.
However, the nonagenarian’s “will” and “resolve” to recover as per the doctors enabled him to recover within ten days of the infection.
Amarnath’s family and neighbours consider him a “fighter” who is never afraid to stand up for noble causes.
As per them, Amarnath has “once again lived up to his reputation by defeating the viral infection within days”.
His son, Bishamber Lal said his father developed Covid symptoms some days ago and had acute fever and cough.
“We immediately took him to a local primary health centre where the doctor tested him for Covid and his report turned positive. Then as a precautionary measure, I got all my family members tested and they were all found negative, ” Lal recalled.
He said that night, they kept him in home isolation and ensured that the infection doesn’t spread further in the family.
The next day, Amarnath’s condition worsened and his oxygen saturation level declined as he had to struggle to breathe and was unable to speak, added Lal.
Lal lauded the district health facilities and timely care for his father.
“Just when his condition got worse, I called 108. Within an hour, an ambulance came and took my father to GMC Rajouri where he was admitted in a covid care ward and was kept on mechanical ventilator support, ” he said.
Doctors at the hospital also applaud the spirit of Amarnath.
“He responded very well while undergoing treatment in the hospital and showed his stern resolve to come out of the situation healthy, ” a doctor at GMC Rajouri who attended to Amarnath said.
“Our entire team who were treating the patient can vouch that his strong will helped him recover from the virus so quick”, said another doctor at the GMC.
After testing negative on the tenth day of his treatment, Amarnath was discharged from the hospital and advised people to maintain social distancing from his family.
His son partly attributed his recovery to timely vaccination.
“Had my father not been administered the two doses he might not be with us today”.
The entire family has thanked the health workers for providing round the clock and the best treatment to their elderly family member.
The story goes on to substantiate that senior citizens must continue to take adequate precautions, get vaccinated and get hospitalized on observing the mildest of Covid symptoms to stay safe.
According to health experts, early hospitalization is crucial in recovery of elderly patients from Covid-19.