RAJSHAHI, Jan 22: Cold-disease afflicted patients are increasing in the district, with children and elderly mostly affected.
Himalayan cold air is flowing over Rajshahi.
Roads are remaining covered with fog from evening to morning. The temperature difference between day and night has decreased. That is why the cold is felt severely.
In hospitals, pneumonia, asthma, tough breath and diarrhoea have increased by two-three times. Patients are going to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH), upazila hospitals and private clinics to receive treatments.
According to RMCH sources, on Saturday from 8am to 6pm 123 children were admitted to Ward 10 and 24.
At present, there are 551 admitted children in these wards over the last several days. Due to bed crisis, two patients are lying accommodated in one bed. Also affected children are kept on floor.
On-duty doctors of children wards said, on Sunday 46 patients were admitted, making the total 72 till 7pm on Monday.
Day by day the number of patients is increasing, said Emergency Departments Dr Md Billal Hossain. He advised children and elderly people for not going out without special needs. Anybody can be affected by cold diseases, he added.
Civil Surgeon Dr Abu Sayed Mohammad Farooq said, cold disease patients have increased at the upazila level. But the number of Outdoor patients is higher, he added.
He further said, the situation is not that of so bad. Most patients are sent home after Outdoor treatment, the CS added.
Only serious patients are admitted, the CS maintained.
Rajshahi Weather Office Monitor Abdus Salam said, on Saturday, the lowest temperature was recorded at 13.8 degree Celsius while the highest temperature was recorded at 21.1 degree Celsius.
Due to temperature difference between day and night, severe cold is felt, the official added.
