Chandigarh, May 14 (IANS): It was a development of hope and positivity as six more persons undergoing treatment at PGIMER's COVID Hospital here were discharged after being declared cured on Thursday, doctors said.
These were the highest number of recoveries in a single day till date and with their discharge, the total number of people who have successfully recovered and discharged from Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) rises to 37.
Out of six, the four recovered people were from Sector 30 cluster; one male was from Sector 26 and another male, a healthcare worker with the PGIMER, belonged to Mullanpur in Punjab.
As has become almost the norm, PGIMER Director Jagat Ram was personally present at the send off ceremony.
He was flanked by Vipin Koushal, in-charge of Covid Hospital, Ashok Kumar, Additional Medical Superintendent, Mahesh Devnani, Department of Hospital Administration, besides healthcare workers.
Jagat Ram, while sharing his happiness, said, "It is a positive indicator that our recovery rate is consistently increasing and is comparable to the best in the country. It also reiterates that the tremendous efforts put in by the PGIMER team are paying rich dividends."
Sending a note of caution to the community, he added, "We have to learn to live with the virus. The peak is yet to come in June and July and after that as well, it may take long to go. So social distancing, hand washing, wearing mask and avoiding crowds should become a way of life."
Visibly touched by the warmth at the occasion, with some of them moving to tears, the discharged people expressed their gratitude to PGIMER Covid-19 team.
Roop Kishore, healthcare worker with the PGIMER who was also discharged, said: "I always felt proud to be working with the PGIMER. But now after my experience of being a patient here, I can vouch that the PGIMER team is far more ahead in its commitment and compassion towards patient care. I am going home all grateful and indebted."
All others recovered persons echoing the same sentiments, waved at the team gathered there as they settled into the ambulances for their onward journey home.
Though discharged from the hospital, all six of them will be home quarantined for 14 days as per the standard protocol to be followed by all Covid-19 patients.