Concerns intensify over blood clots in Covid patients

News that a diabetic woman who contracted Covid-19 had two legs amputated last week because of blood clots has sparked further alarm about the complications that can be caused by the virus.
The 65-year-old woman had both legs amputated above the knee in order to save her life, the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control said on Tuesday.
Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Health’s Department of Healthcare and Rehabilitation, Dr Bouathep Phoumin, told reporters attending the daily media briefing on Tuesday that blood clots were a concern in Covid patients.
The woman was originally admitted to Mahosot Hospital on October 5 with blood clotting problems and also tested positive for Covid-19. She was transferred to Mittaphab Hospital where she remained until June 2, when doctors decided to amputate her legs.
Dr Bouathep said amputation would prevent the serious blood clotting complications that can affect a very small number of Covid patients.
Covid-19 is a complex infection that, much like the lungs or the heart, can cause damage to the blood flowing through the veins.
Guidelines suggest that clinicians should use a standard prophylactic anticoagulant dose over higher doses to prevent clotting in patients who have been hospitalised with Covid-19, including those in intensive care, Dr Bouathep said. However, this treatment was not effective in this particular case.
Abnormal blood clotting has been reported in some countries as a complication associated with an increased risk of death in Covid patients, particularly hospitalised patients.
Bloodstream complications can also show up much later as post-Covid signs and lead to life-threatening complications.
Only two cases of Covid-19 were reported in Laos on Tuesday, both in Vientiane. The positive cases were identified during the testing of 1,845 samples in the previous 24 hours.
One of the two people who tested positive lives in Tanmixay village, while the other lives at Oudomphone Apartments in Phonthan village.
Tuesday was the first day when no infections were reported in any of the provinces since the Covid outbreak began in April.
The total number of cases recorded in Laos to date now stands at 1,970. There are currently 191 active cases and 1,773 people have recovered from the virus.

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
(Latest Update June 9, 2021)