Testing positive again after 13 days of discharge, Dr. Dawipayan Deb is now COVID free

Nobody in Barak Valley returned to the COVID wards of Silchar Medical College and Hospital as a patient after getting discharged until August 20. As a shock for the entire Valley and surprise to the medical fraternity, Dr. Dawipayan Deb had tested positive 13 days after recovery. His reports have been sent to the discharge board, which will soon take a decision when he can go back home.

Back then, principal of Silchar Medical College and Hospital, Dr. Babul Bezbaruah had explained, “There are two chances – reinfection or relapse. Chances of reinfection are very rare and we feel it could be an issue of relapse. When he was admitted earlier, he was asymptomatic, and hence may be the development was delayed. Now probably the viral load has increased and he became symptomatic.”

Yesterday, Deb has tested negative on both Rapid Antigen Test kit and RT-PCR. Dr. Bezbaruah informs that Dawipayan Deb was treated under the supervision of senior doctors. “We did take extra care,” informs Dr. Bezbaruah as this was a special case where the patient had to be readmitted.

Remsesivir – a broad-spectrum antiviral medication that is administered to the COVID positive patients in SMCH was prescribed to Dr. Dawipayan Deb too. However, instead of five, Deb was given seven doses considering his case was an exception.

Are there more chances of such relapse, Dr. Bezbaruah feels it is too soon to draw a conclusion. “The nature of this virus is still subject of research,” he opines. However, he feels the healthcare workers need to be more protective. “After recovery, all of them go back to treating COVID positive patients which takes them closer to the virus. Safety measures are key and they must be followed,” Dr. Bezbaruah added.

Testing negative on both RAT and RT-PCR, “Comes as a big relief for me,” says Dr. Dawipayan Deb who is a resident of Silchar’s Sonai Road area. He adds, “I have experienced the worst this time. Totally felt the scare of COVID-19. People who think this is a hoax should learn about my experience. It was a terrible experience,” adds the doctor.

Deb requests people to get tested as soon and they notice any symptoms however mild it might be. “Even I delayed testing for 2 days and tried to treat myself at home but, eventually got tested at the right moment, and hence the treatment worked,” he says. Adding, “I have heard and seen many cases coming up to the hospital during the last stages of the illness. This makes things way more difficult to treat.”

The administration has set up ward-wise testing booths and yet there is a low turnout. There is a perception in people’s minds that the doctors in SMCH do not treat patients. “I have seen doctors giving rounds at least twice a day and these are not just junior doctors. Even the Team Leaders give rounds twice a day. And from my experience, a lot of things have changed in SMCH over the past one month. The food and cleanliness have improved a lot,” he shares.

Dawipayan Deb stayed at the COVID wards of SMCH earlier with his father as both of them had tested positive in late July. “The packaging and delivery timing has changed massively. It is highly professional packaging and the quality is top-notch. You can ask about it to any of the patients admitted recently. Things have really changed for good. I wonder, how they never forget to add a sweet (lal mohan) during lunch,” he adds with a smile.

Deb believes there is a shortage of Plasma in Silchar Medical College and Hospital. 89 patients including the deputy speaker of Assam have undergone Convalescent Plasma Therapy so far in SMCH. This is a process of treatment where plasma is collected from previously infected individuals to passively transfer antibodies in order to protect or treat humans.

Deb’s observation is that most of the plasma is being brought from Guwahati on foot. “I would urge the people of the valley to donate plasma. We shouldn’t be dependent on others for our own Health. We need to help each other now. Plasma therapy can save lives, especially those of elderly patients,” he appeals.

Dr. Dawipayan Deb’s case had raised a lot of questions about the discharge policy followed in the state. The treatment provided in SMCH was also criticised. However, him recovering within 10 days comes as a massive success for the biggest medical infrastructure in South Assam.