Concerned over the increasing number of asymptomatic COVID-19 patients, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to go for affordable medical treatment and isolation of asymptomatic patients in hotels in big cities in the state.
Starting with Lucknow and Ghaziabad, the state government, on the recommendation of the Vinod Paul Committee, will acquire hotels for asymptomatic patients.
Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Amit Mohan Prasad said here on Friday that as the state does not allow home isolation, the new system would provide good facility to the asymptomatic patients.
“As per the government notification, a patient will have to pay Rs 1,000 per day for double sharing basis while for medical treatment, which will be provided by the state government, the patient will have to pay one time token money of Rs 2,000,” he said.
The additional chief secretary said the per day cost of Rs 1,000 per patient would cover fooding and lodging and they would get hygienic toilets and other facilities.
“The facility would start from Lucknow and Ghaziabad, where big hotels would be converted into isolation wards of COVID-19 patients. In the coming days this facility would be available in other cities too” he said.
Prasad said this facility would not be available to patients with comorbidity, aged people, children and pregnant women.
“It would be only for asymptomatic patients with mild symptoms and no other health issues,” he added.
The additional chief secretary also said that this facility was optional as people could also be admitted to Level-1, Level-2 and Level-3 hospitals.
“Those who are willing to pay for the special facilities will only be allowed to stay in hotels,” he said.