The facility is already 50% full

GANDHINAGAR: Gujarat’s first Covid hospital — the 1,200-bed facility within the Civil Hospital compound — is almost 50% full and with cases rising sharply, it is expected to be filled in the next few days.

On Sunday, 190 patients were admitted to the Covid hospital, taking the occupancy to 545 patients. Meanwhile, reports of 71 samples were awaited.

The state government has expedited the process of adding 300 beds each at kidney and cancer hospitals for Covid patients.

Additional chief secretary Pankaj Kumar, who is in charge of the Covid response in Ahmedabad, said: “The addition of capacity at cancer and kidney hospitals will not affect routine functioning.” Kumar went on to say: “The entry and exit for the Covid section of these hospitals will be separate. And if there is further need, we can add beds in the Civil Hospital as well.”

Kumar added that the AMC has been asked to add another 300 beds at the SVP hospital for Covid patients, as it has reached its 200-bed capacity. “The government has reserved the Samras hostel to house non-symptomatic, non-serious patients,” he said. “In addition, we have identified private hospitals as well where patients can be admitted if the need arises.”

Commenting on the facilities being provided at the Covid hospital, Kumar said that senior doctors have been designated to address all issues of patients. “All patients have been getting healthy food and special arrangements have been made for pregnant women and those with children,” he added.

