In view of a massive spike in Covid-19 cases in Odisha, the State Government has decided to increase the numbers of beds in hospitals for treatment of infected persons.
“The district Collectors have been asked to focus on setting up healthcare infrastructure to deal with the worsening situation caused by a rapid transmission of coronavirus in second wave of the pandemic. The numbers of beds in hospitals will be increased 4 to 5 fold compared to last year,” informed Director of Public Health Dr Niranjan Mishra.
He said that it is not possible to increase the number of intensive care (ICU) beds that much in a limited period of time. However, the number would be increased two fold. “We need rise in hospital beds in four categories such as general, oxygen support, ICU and ICU with ventilator.
On an average, 6% ICU beds are required for Covid patients per 100 beds. In view of present the Covid situation, we have decided to increase the oxygen-support beds so that the Covid patients in critical condition can be admitted to the ICU,” Dr Mishra said.
The numbers of ICU and High Dependency Unit (HDU) beds would be increased in phases as per requirement. Currently, 25% Covid patients are admitted to the general beds and 60% are in ICUs. Of 248 beds, 45 patients are on the ventilator support.
While there are 541 ICU beds available in hospitals, 329 patients are admitted to these beds. The remaining 212 ICU beds have been kept on standby in hospitals, Dr Mishra added.