Maharashtra’s coronavirus patient, a 53-year-old man, who was the first in the state to receive plasma therapy has died on Thursday at the Lilavati Hospital in Bandra, Mumbai. As per the protocol, the plasma was taken from the patient who had recovered successfully from the infection.
The patient was admitted to the designated hospital on the 20th of April and was later shifted to the intensive care unit following the deterioration in health. According to sources, the 53-year-old patient was suffering from septicemia and acute respiratory disease syndrome. The patient had a fever, throat pain, and cough for 10 days before he was tested positive and admitted to the hospital. Dr. Jalil Parkar of the hospital said,
“He developed septicemia early on. Usually, we observe a patient for 48 hours for plasma effects, but there was little improvement in his case due to plasma therapy. That is why a decision to not give further dose was taken.”
Earlier this week, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Affairs clarified that the plasma treatment is not an approved treatment for the coronavirus and is only one of the various therapies that are being experimented across the globe. The efficiency of the plasma treatment is being studied by the Indian Council of Medical Research which is heading the task force for COVID-19 in India. The ICMR has also warned that the treatment could have fatal side effects including ‘life-threatening allergies’.
First Patient to Recieve Plasma in Delhi recovers
On the other hand, in the national capital, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal addressed the press conference and announced that the first patient to receive plasma therapy in the capital has recovered successfully. He said,
“The first patient from Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital under plasma therapy has recovered. Trials are still going on. This is a positive and encouraging sign for our fight against coronavirus.”
The Delhi CM also said that the patients who recover from COVID-19 will donate plasma for the treatment. He further said,
“We are getting good results out of plasma theory. The 1,100 cured people are being contacted for plasma donation and most are willing to donate their plasma to help in the cure of positive patients.”
Source: Scroll.in
