Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, May 1: Home minister and district in-charge minister Basavaraj Bommai conducted a Covid management review meeting held at Udupi zilla panchayat hall here on Saturday May 1.
Speaking to mediapersons, he said, “I have instructed the district administration to set up Covid care centres in every taluk within 3-4 days, which will include bed facilities, separate toilets, required physicians and nurses. For now, it is not necessary, but will be required considering the increasing Covid cases. Those who have no proper facilities at homes for asymptotic patients, can approach Covid care centers.
“There are 2,596 active cases in the district in which 494 are in hospital and 2,102 are under home isolation. The recovery rate is 91.14%. As many as 44 patients are in ICU and 25 are in ventilator in both private and government hospitals. As of now, 171 ICU and 79 ventilators are available. I have instructed the health department to examine the facilities available for home isolated patients and also maintain sanitisation facilities.
“Nodal officers have been appointed to monitor Covid situation and a committee has been appointed, which includes PDOs, beat police and health workers. They will visit home isolated patients' houses two times every day.
“A task force committee has been appointed in all taluk levels which will be headed by tahsildars.
“We have requested KMC Hospital Manipal to increase the number of ICU beds for future. As many as 40 ICU beds are available now and will be increased up to 60. Dr TMA Pai Hospital management has also agreed to make itself a complete Covid hospital like last year. If necessary, it will be announced as Covid dedicated hospital and current non-Covid patients will be shifted to KMC Hospital Manipal.
“We also given instructed the deputy commissioner (DC) to prepare a projected plan for every week. The district administration has been advised to submit a report (estimation) on the increasing cases, and total required beds and remedies.
“The government has given complete authority to recruite doctors, technicians, nursing staffs and Group D staffs under the guidelines of NHAM. First priority should be given to local candidates and TA and DA privileges will be given to them.
“An oxygen refilling plant will be come up in Belapu, Kaup taluk. Pratap Reddy, who is the transportation in-charge of oxygen tankers throughout the state, has ensured to provide additional stock of oxygen within 2-3 days,” he said.
DC G Jagadeesha, CEO of zilla panchayat Dr Naveen Bhat Y, MLAs and DHO Dr Sudhir Chandra Sooda, nodal officer Prashanth Bhat, SP N Vishnuvardan and other health officials were present.