In view of rapid surge in Covid-19 positive cases in the city, the Chandigarh Administration has decided to constitute a committee of medical experts to study the existing facilities in the three major medical institutions including PGIMER, GMCH-32 and GMSH-16 in the city. The committee will review the existing medical facilities available in the three institutions and recommend methods to enhance COVID-19 treatment beds.
The decision was taken during the review meeting held by Punjab Governor and UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore on Wednesday. Expressing concern over the surge in positive cases which has crossed 1200-mark in the city, Badnore directed to constitute a committee of medical experts to prepare for any situation arising due to COVID cases in the future.With 64 fresh positive cases reported on Wednesday, the total cases reached 1270 in the city.
There were 114 critical COVID-19 patients undergoing treatment at NHE, PGIMER till the evening. Out of them, 22 patients were admitted in the ICU. The COVID-19 positive patients having mild to moderate symptoms are also admitted in GMCH-32, GMSH-16, Dhanwantry Hospital, Sector 46 and Sood Dharamshala, Sector 22.
Earlier, estimating Chandigarh’s population as 12 lakh and a peak of COVID-19 pandemic in the future, a COVID-19 contingency plan for management of about 3600 active cases of virus on the worst day of the spread in the city, had been prepared by UT Administration. The plan lists out a protocol to be put in place for asymptomatic, mild cases and severe positive cases, quarantine centres, logistic support for patients, dedicated COVID- Hospital, dedicated Health centre for moderate cases, COVID care centre, testing facilities among other measures.
PRIVATE LABS TO CONDUCT TESTS WITHOUT MEDICAL PRESCRIPTION UT Admin has allowed three private labs approved by ICMR to conduct COVID-19 testing through RT-PCR without prescription of the medical practitioners on payment basis. “Atylaya Healthcare Private Limited, Sector 11, Metropolis Healthcare Ltd, Sector 11 and SRL Labs, Sector 11 are hereby allowed Coronavirus testing through RT-PCR test without prescription by the medical practitioners on payment basis as stipulated by Chandigarh Admin for easy access to testing facilities to citizens,” stated an order issued by UT Administration.
Earlier in June, the Administration had capped the COVID-19 test charges for private laboratories in the city at Rs 2,000.