Lata Mangeshkar's condition improves, taken off ventilator today

Legendary playback singer Lata Mangeshkar has been making steady progress since a slight improvement in her health was reported a couple of days ago. Today she was taken off ventilator support for a while.

A statement issued by the Mangeshkar family said, 'Lata-didi continues to be in the ICU [intensive care unit] at Breach Candy hospital, Mumbai, under treatment. She has been given a trial of extubation [taken off the invasive ventilator] this morning.'

The family added, '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.'

Earlier in the day, Harsh Goenka, chairman of the RPG Group, shared some positive news about Mangeshkar’s health. He tweeted, “With millions praying for her recovery, Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar is finally off her ventilator today. She is doing much better and we continue to pray for her return home soon.”

Mangeshkar was admitted to the hospital on 9 January after testing positive for COVID-19. Though she had mild symptoms, she was kept in the ICU in view of her advanced age — she is 92 — and frail health. A couple of days later, she contracted pneumonia.