Silvester D’Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Jun 2: Udupi deputy commissioner G Jagadeesha said that the Kundapur taluk hospital would be converted as a full-fledged COVID-19 hospital and the taluk hospital will be shifted to Kota hospital while the outpatient department of the hospital will be shifted to Old Vinay hospital. The Lalitambika guest house at Kollur in Byndoor taluk will also be converted to COVID-19 hospital, the commissioner said.

The decision was taken after the commissioner held a meeting with the MLAs and doctors in view of the rising number of cases in the two taluks.

The district has witnessed incoming of nearly 8,400 people from abroad and outside the state. As a mandatory protocol, all those who arrived from outside have undergone 14 days or seven days of institutional quarantine and are sent to their homes having their throat swabs collected. As the reports arrived, it is seen that a large number of positive cases emerged from Kundapur and Byndoor Vidhan Sabha constituencies.

"There is a need of 400 beds in the taluk, 120 beds are already arranged in taluk hospital and 60 beds in Adarsh hospital. Therefore, it is decided that the taluk hospital will be converted into full-fledged COVID-19 hospital and 100 more beds will be arranged. The taluk hospital here will be shifted to Kota hospital along with pregnant women and those who have just delivered their babies. The outpatient department will be shifted to Old Vinay hospital," the commissioner said.

COVID-19 hospital in Kollur:

With regard to a large number of people arriving Byndoor from Maharashtra, the commissioner said that more than 2,500 people have already arrived so far and the chances of positive cases stand higher, therefore, Lalitambika guest house at Kollur would be converted to a COVID-19 hospital with over a 100 beds. "Positive cases without symptoms will be treated at Kundapur and Kollur itself while those with severe symptoms including pregnant women will be treated at TMA Pai hospital," the commissioner said.

Action against violators of seal down regulations:

The commissioner stressed on the government guidelines towards prevention of COVID-19 and reinstated the norms to be followed. Those undergoing seven days of quarantine would have to strictly home quarantine themselves while those who have completed 14 days of institutional quarantine do not require any home quarantine. Any person testing positive would be sent to the COVID-19 hospitals for treatment while their house and entire neighbourhood would be completely sealed down. Entry or exit from the sealed down zones is strictly prohibited and may invite legal action as per the Epidemic Act. Cooperation of the public is extremely essential in such crucial times in order to prevent the spread of the virus, he said.

Citizens arriving from outside the state should remain in their houses until their reports have arrived and they have tested negative, he added.

MLA Halady Srinivas Shetty, assistant commissioner K Raju, taluk health officer Dr Nagabhooshan Udupa and others were present among others.