Delhi government asks private hospitals not to admit coronavius patients

New Delhi: The Delhi government has asked all private hospitals identified for admitting and treating Covid-19 patients to hold off until further orders. Nineteen hospitals, identified by Delhi government’s directorate-general of health services for Covid-19 treatment were directed not to admit patients till the district surveillance officer has inspected the premises and approved the standards in isolation wards. Last week, three major network hospitals — Fortis Healthcare, Apollo and Max Healthcare — had announced setting up of isolation wards and opening their hospitals for admission of Covid-19 patients. The order came a day before the hospitals could admit patients. In a letter dated March 27, Medical Superintendent Nursing Homes RN Das said: “All the 19 identified private hospitals are hereby directed to make their isolation wards functional only after seeking clearance from the concerned district surveillance officer and informing the undersigned regarding the same.”

Private hospitals received the letter on Saturday evening. No admissions have been done so far. Fortis and Max Healthcare confirmed they were yet to admit Covid-19 patients.