KOCHI: Going by the rise in daily Covid cases and ICU admissions, Ernakulam is likely to enter Category C by Monday. Currently, the district has recorded 23% increase in Covid admissions in ICUs when compared to January 1 threshold.
The district administration has said that 72% ICU beds in the government sector and 43% in private hospitals have currently been occupied.
Seeing no decline in ICU admissions, the district administration is mulling to increase ICU beds in the government sector and sought support of private hospitals in case of any emergency situation. Officials held a meeting with private hospitals in this regard on Friday.
District medical officer V Jayasree said over 40% of Covid beds in Ernakulam have been occupied. Of the 3,773 beds, including ICUs, available for Covid treatment, 1,665 beds are occupied. As per the Covid jagratha portal, 60 hospitals provide Covid treatment.
If a district is included in Category C, more restrictions on public gatherings will be implemented. However, the district administration said restrictions will not affect the livelihood of people .
“We don’t see any decline in ICU admissions and it is in increasing trend for the last few days. If our ICU admissions are increased more than 25% from January 1 benchmark, the district will be included in Category C. If the number of Covid patients touches more than 100%, then also the district will fall in that category. By Monday, Ernakulam may enter Category C,” said district collector Jafar Malik.
Dr Padmanabha Shenoy, a rheumatologist, said categorizing districts based on hospital admissions is a good move.
“Hospitals beds are important to ensure that the needy get it for treatment. The number of Covid cases does not matter. What we have to look into is how many are getting sick and getting admitted ,” he said.
“Even if we go to Category C, no construction activities will be restricted. There will be no ban on opening shops or running business. Only religious, cultural gatherings, big programmes and inaugurations will be banned,” the collector said.
