Odisha govt directs to activate Covid facilities in districts

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Monday issued an advisory to all collectors, municipal commissioners, chief district medical and public health officers for activation of government and private Covid facilities in the districts which were utilized during the 1st phase of the pandemic.

“Remain in readiness to accommodate the new cases and activate the Government and Private Covid facilities (which were used earlier in 2020) in a phased manner as and when required,” said Additional Chief Secretary (Health), PK Mohapatra in a letter.

Mohapatra said the Covid facilities which were functionalized during the 1st phase of Covid-19 pandemic shall be activated in phases with an increment of 50 beds at a time when needed.

The number of ICU shall be 20 percent of general beds and the availability of ventilators shall be at least 50% of all ICUs, he said.

In big facilities having more than 100 beds, shall preferably have facilities for surgery (all type), maternity care, NICU and dialysis.

All the Private Hospitals under Odisha Clinical Establishment Act having 30 beds or more must have at least 10% of available beds (General bed & ICU) reserved for Covid patients.

They shall increase the facility up to 80 % of available General beds and ICUs in a phase-wise manner as per the rise in the incidence of Covid patients.