Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB/EP)

Udupi, Apr 23: Referring to the weekend curfew that has been enforced DC G Jagadeesh informed that the purchase of essential commodities in Udupi can be done from 6 am to 10 am. He informed that private buses will not be permitted to operate when there are fewer passengers.

Speaking at a press conference held at the deputy commissioner’s office on Friday, April 23 the DC said, "About 3,000 swab samples are being collected every day. 10.50 per cent of them are found to be positive. The virus is spreading rapidly."

“There is no scarcity of oxygen supply in Udupi for the time being. But there is likely to be a scarcity of ICU beds if the numbers continue to rise. We urge people to not bring patients to the hospital at the last minute," the DC stressed.

“The symptoms were found among 5 per cent of people earlier. Now it is being reported among 25 per cent of people. This development is alarming. The seriousness of the pandemic has increased. Four Covid deaths were recorded from January to April. But, now the number of people getting admitted to ICU is on the rise which is a cause for concern,” he said.

Medical facilities available at present:

46 ventilators in the district hospital, 12 HFNC, 480 oxygen beds, 629 oxygen beds in private hospitals, 428 beds without oxygen facilities, 101 High Dependency Unit (HDU) beds, 100 ICU beds, 25 HNFC and 13 ventilators. Out of 629 oxygen beds, 49 are occupied and 580 are vacant.

"Everybody has the responsibility to isolate the infected and provide treatment. The number of tests needs to be ramped up," he said.

District panchayat CEO, Dr Navin Bhat Y, additional DC, Sadashiva Prabhu, DSP Vishnuvardhan and nodal officer, Dr Prashanth were present.