KOLKATA: Several private hospitals in Kolkata have identified Covid units and revived their old Covid protocols - including compulsory masking on their premises - following a rise in admissions earlier this week after a two-month lull.
A separate health team has been set up to cater to Covid patients yet again in at least two private hospitals, while another is ready to set up a ward once the number of patients crosses 15. At least three private hospitals in the city now have around a dozen patients admitted, and experts fear that the number may swell in another week.
With eight patients admitted across its three units, AMRI Hospitals have made N95 masks compulsory for all their staff. The hospital's Covid committee, formed at the start of the pandemic, has set up a dedicated health team - comprising 10 doctors and 35 nurses - for Covid patients across its three units. Separate units could be set up if the number of patients rises.
"The health team is keeping a close watch on the situation," said AMRI CEO Rupak Barua. "We already have doctors and nurses dedicated for Covid patients. They are not attending to other patients, like during the height of the pandemic. If the need arises, we are ready to convert a ward at very short notice," he added.
Woodlands Hospital has set up a dedicated six-bed Covid ward in an isolated section of the hospital, of which one bed is currently occupied after a patient was discharged on Saturday. "A dedicated team of doctors and nurses has been appointed to monitor patients admitted in the ward," said Rupali Basu, the CEO.
'It is now clear that Covid will have 2 surges annually'
Peerless Hospital, where a single Covid patient is admitted, has reserved an ITU bed, apart from four isolation beds. "We have revived a dedicated team of seven nurses for the purpose. If the number of patients crosses 15, we will convert an entire 40-bed unit into a Covid one," said CEO Sudipta Mitra. Masks have been made compulsory for all inside the hospital.
It is now clear that Covid will have two surges annually, said Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education & Research (IPGMER) professor Diptendra Sarkar. "We are about to experience the first one this year, but it is likely to be a minor one. Infections will be mild and hospitalizations should be few. But we need to protect the vulnerable population - the elderly and those with co-morbidities - to prevent hospitalisations and mortality. Unless the number of deaths rises, which seems unlikely, we shouldn't worry," Sarkar said.
RN Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences will continue to earmark a five-bed isolation unit as the area to keep Covid patients, if any. "If numbers go up, we will immediately create a Covid ward, like we did earlier All Covid protocols have been revived and are being implemented," said zonal head R Venkatesh.
