31 of 40 Covid deaths in Vid from Akola and Amravati

Nagpur: Out of total 40 Covid-19 deaths in Vidarbha recorded till date, 31 are from Akola and Amravati. While the number deaths in Akola (18) are more than Amravati (13), mortality rate in Amravati is highest in Vidarbha at 12.26%. Nagpur has reported six deaths followed by one each from Buldhana, Washim and Wardha.
Most deaths have been reported in the last two weeks.On May 1, Vidarbha had recorded 12 deaths. By May 17, the toll surged to 40. Most deaths in Amravati and Akola are of elderly people or those who had some comorbidities.
In most of the cases, deceased tested Covid-19 positive post death. Seven deaths have been reported from isolation wards during treatment. Two of them are from Nagpur, two in Amravati and three in Akola, which has recorded sudden surge in deaths and number of patients in the last few days.
“Akola has seen 16 deaths in the last 10 days. Three of them were of patients undergoing treatment at the isolation ward. All three patients were having severe comorbidities. Age factor was also important in it,” said divisional deputy director of health services, Akola, Dr Riyaz Faruqui.
According to sources, there has been unusual surge in death records of Akola Municipal Corporation. Local sources said total 42 deaths were recorded at one Masoom Shah cemetery during April 21 to May 10. This cemetery comes in one of the hotspot areas in the city. In 2018, only eight deceased were buried at this cemetery during the same period while in 2019, the number was 11. This means, nearly four times more people have been buried this year in this one cemetery. While no official from Akola was ready to comment on the records, no one refuted the numbers.
While Covid casualties are a cause of concern for Akola and Amravati, there is a silver lining from Yavatmal. Total 98 cases have been recorded in Yavatmal, but no patient has died here till date. By May 17, 91 out of the 98 patients have been cured and discharged.
Washim, Buldhana and Wardha have registered one death each, but none of the deceased had resulted in chain of Covid-19 patients like that in Nagpur’s Satranjipura case. Doctors have advised that elderly people should stay at home and those having diabetes, hypertension and other comorbidities should take extra care.
Deaths in Region
District | number of deaths | mortality rate
Akola | 18 (17+1 Suicide) | 7.14%
Amravati | 13 | 12.26%
Nagpur | 6 | 1.69%
Buldhana, Washim, Wardha | 1 each | NA
Total | 40 | 4.73%
Youngest deceased in Vidarbha | 22-year-old in Nagpur
Oldest deceased in Vidarbha | 89-year old woman in Amravati