In the wake of the deadly smog that engulfed the NCR from November 7, there has been a spike in respiratory ills in the region. The District Hospital of Gautam Budh Nagar has registered a 30 per cent increase in patients with respiratory diseases.

Dr Anurag Bhargava, chief medical officer, informed City Spidey that in the past 24 hours, there has been a rush of patients in the OPD department complaining of respiratory stress, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). “Apart from the more severe cases, there are also those complaining of itchy and watering eyes,” Bhargava added.

Incidentally, most patients who have experienced respiratory issues for the first time live near the construction sites of sectors 75, 76, 77, 78, 125 and 126.

Dr Gyaneswar, a general physician at the hospital, also stated that he had witnessed a 15 per cent increase in patients with respiratory complaints in the past 48 hours. “I recommend that everyone avoid the outdoors and refrain from morning walks, jogging and yoga,” he added.

On Thursday morning, the AQI touched 678 in Noida. An AQI value between 401 and 500 signifies severe air pollution.

The city, with a population of more than 6 lakh, has been struggling to clean its air, which has become a toxic cocktail of dust, smoke and gases emanating from vehicles, factory exhausts, construction activities and stubble burning.