Covid-19: BDA, private flats to be used to add 10,000 beds in Bengaluru, says K Sudhakar

BENGALURU: The Government is in the process of adding 10,000 beds by Monday evening in view of the rising number of Covid-19 positive cases in Bengaluru, Medical Education Minister Dr. K Sudhakar said on Saturday.

Bengaluru Urban on Saturday reported 596 cases and three deaths.

The process of identifying both government and private facilities necessary for the treatment of covid patients is being undertaken. The officials are personally visiting all suitable places and gathering information, the Minister told the media after he held video conference with senior officials from various departments on Saturday.


Apart from hospitals of government and private medical colleges, private hospitals, housing complexes built by BDA, Housing Department, private construction companies, government and private sports complexes, stadiums, hostels and large commercial complexes will be used for covid treatment. Based on the facilities available, these will be converted to either covid care centres or hospitals, Dr Sudhakar said.

Facilities where ventilator, high flow oxygen lines and other facilities that are available will be converted into hospitals. Since last week about 30-35% of the infected cases are showing symptoms. Experts have been told to classify the symptomatic cases as mild, moderate and severe and prepare treatment protocols.

Private hospitals have been instructed to reserve 50% of the beds for covid treatment. Discussions will be held with managements of private hospitals and they will be provided details of capping of treatment cost. The possibility of utilising almost entire capacity in private medical colleges is being examined, Minister said.

Since covid care centres do not require much facilities, the muti-storey residential apartment complexes built by BDA and housing department will be used. The BDA has around 1700 flats. BDA commissioner Mahadev will inform the exact number of flats available for use on Monday.

Besides the BDA flats, those available in about 3000 private residential complexes registered under RERA and housing department will be examined and decided by officials, Minister said.

The government is also gathering information about stadiums,sports complexes, hostels and large commercial complexes under sports department and private entities. The target is to set up at least 10,000 beds and officials are working working in war footing towards this. I am personally monitoring all details, he said.

All necessary arrangements in the identified facilities will be made with assistance from private sector. KSRP, Home Guards, NCC cadets and para-military forces stationed in city for security arrangements, the minister said.

'NO NEED TO PANIC'
There are 11,005 Covid cases in Karnataka, out of which 3,905 are active and 6,916 cases have recovered. So far 180 people have died due to the virus.

"Compared to national mortality rate, state's mortality is lesser by about 5%. Since last week about 50% cases are symptomatic. The sudden change in weather and onset of monsoon may be the reason. The death rate in covid is less compared to other viruses. Therefore people need not panic. Government is taking all measures to contain the spread of virus and provide best treatment to infected. People's cooperation is necessary at this stage," Sudhakar said.