COVID 4th wave concerns: Karnataka govt makes masks, social distancing mandatory
State govt to import 2 lakh vials of Remdesivir: Sudhakar
BENGALURU:
With a sleeping state government jolted into action by the havoc wreaked by the second Covid-19 wave, Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar said Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has ‘directed’ a ten-fold increase in the availability of ventilators for critical Covid patients.
Speaking to the media on Friday, the Minister said private hospitals have been asked to set up makeshift hospitals. He claimed that in the next 15 days, at least 2,000 makeshift ICU beds would be ready, 800 of them with ventilators. “In the Victoria Hospital campus, 250 ICU beds will be set up, and in another new building 150-200 ICU beds will be arranged, of which 100 will have ventilators. Makeshift hospitals will also be set up at Bowring, RGICD and NIMHANS,” he said.
Read Here: ‘Sleeping’ Karnataka Health Department has missed chance to ramp up oxygen, ventilator beds https://thebengalurulive.com/sleeping-karnataka-health-department-has-missed-chance-to-ramp-up-oxygen-ventilator-beds/
On the supply of anti-viral drug Remdesivir, Dr Sudhakar said, “We are getting 10,000 to 20,000 vials of Remdesivir on a daily basis. The Centre has allocated an additional 25,000 vials. I have also spoke to Biocon MD Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw to supply 10,000 vials in 10 days and another 50,000-60,000 vials within a month. We are trying to directly procure 2 lakh vials from abroad. We are seeking the Centre’s approval for this.”
The Minister ‘pointed out’ that “some countries have witnessed a 3rd wave. But in our state we are fighting against the pandemic with minimal disruption to economic activities. The pandemic should not be politicised.”
‘Strengthen home care’
Strengthening home isolation and tele-medicine arrangements was discussed in the Prime Minister’s virtual conference on Friday with Chief Ministers, with a view to reducing the burden on hospitals and healthcare workers. Yediyurappa apprised the PM about the pandemic containment measures taken by the state government, Sudhakar said.
‘SOS on oxygen’
“We have requested the Centre to help with oxygen supplies as it is estimated that we would need 1,000 tonnes of oxygen by this month-end and about 1,500 tonnes in May,” the Minister said.
‘Districts should coordinate’
Later in the day, Dr Sudhakar held a virtual conference with DHOs, heads of medical colleges, district surgeons and other health officials of all districts and instructed them to monitor the positivity rate. The Minister also suggested that DHOs coordinate their efforts and ensure availability of beds for neighbouring districts too.
1912 for home patients
People in home isolation can call 1912 to seek help and guidance, the Minister said.
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