Lata Mangeshkar caught COVID and succumbed to multiple organ failure; here’s what it means – Times of India

“I am anguished beyond words. The kind and caring Lata Didi has left us. She leaves a void in our nation that cannot be filled. The coming generations will remember her as a stalwart of Indian culture, whose melodious voice had an unparalleled ability to mesmerise people,” tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Hospitalisation following COVID-19 infection

Lata Mangeshkar was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital on January 8 after being diagnosed with COVID-19 and pneumonia. As per reports, she showed mild symptoms of COVID-19.

On January 28, she was taken off the ventilator after showing signs of improvement, as per a statement from her family. “Presently, she is showing signs of improvement but will remain under observation of the team of doctors headed by Dr Pratit Samdani. We thank each one of you for your prayers and good wishes,” the family had said in a statement.

Health condition worsened on February 5

On Saturday, her condition worsened and she was again admitted to hospital and was back on ventilator support. Due to her health conditions she underwent aggressive therapies before succumbing to multiple organ failure.

“It is with profound grief that we announce the sad demise of Lata Mangeshkar at 8:12am. She has died because of multi-organ failure after more than 28 days of hospitalisation post COVID-19,” Dr Pratit Samdani, who was treating her at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital told news agency ANI.

COVID-19 pneumonia complications

Though she showed mild COVID-19 symptoms, she was also diagnosed with pneumonia. She was treated for a month in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital.

Pneumonia is the inflammation of air sacs inside the lungs. In pneumonia, the patient’s lungs fill with fluid making it difficult to breathe. Shortness of breath, chest pain, and chills are some of the common symptoms of pneumonia.

“Viral pneumonia during pandemics has been uniquely aggressive. These viral lung infections may progress to adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) which results in death if not aggressively treated,” says a research study published in Radiology journal on February 1, 2022.

Reports say other COVID-19 pneumonia symptoms include nausea, body ache, headache, loss of smell and taste, congestion, sore throat, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and heavy sweating.

“About 15% of COVID-19 cases are severe. That means they may need to be treated with oxygen in a hospital. About 5% of people have critical infections and need a ventilator,” says a report carried by WebMD.

“Anyone can get COVID-19 pneumonia, but it’s more likely in people who are 65 or older. Those who are 85 or older are at the highest risk,” the report adds.

Multiple organ failure

Even after showing signs of improvement on January 28, Lata Ji’s health condition deteriorated on February 5 when she was again admitted to hospital. A day later, on Sunday, she breathed her last. She died because of multi-organ failure after more than 28 days of hospitalisation post COVID-19, as per Dr Pratit Samdani at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital.