Udayavani Reality Check: COVID-19 treatment preparations in coastal K'taka districts

Mangaluru/Udupi: COVID-19 cases in the twin districts are slowly rising. The spread of the virus to rural areas has caused alarm. Presently, there are more medical facilities available for treatment in both districts when compared to the number of infected people.

However, precautionary measures have already been taken, such as the provision of additional beds in existing designated COVID-19 government hospitals and also in private hospitals.

This is what was found in a reality check carried out by Udayavani.

In Dakshina Kannada (DK) district, the number of infected people is increasing and private hospitals have also been roped in to treat the infected. The number of ICU beds and ventilators in the designated COVID-19 hospitals here is more than in Udupi.

In Udupi, although the number of COVID-19 cases are less, an additional 2,500 beds have already been reserved for the treatment of COVID-19 cases. These are more than that in DK.

The Wenlock hospital in Mangaluru which was converted as a designated COVID-29 hospital has 230 beds for the treatment of COVID-19 patient. The number of COVID-19 cases admitted to the hospital has reached its capacity. Hence, 3 private medical colleges and their hospitals have already been designated for COVID-19 treatment. Another 27 private medical colleges’ hospitals will be starting COVID-19 treatment soon. Thus, in the near future, a shortage of beds will be less likely in the DK.

Presently, 10 people are being treated at Wenlock’s ICU, three of whom are on ventilators. Once the private hospitals and medical colleges are fully on board to treat COVID-19 cases there will be more ventilator and ICU facilities available.

The government has advised that for asymptomatic cases proper treatment should be provided at home. If treatment cannot be made at home, then they will be moved to Konaje and NITK hostels for treatment. Thus, the lack of beds for patients in the district and treatment is not a problem, said DHO Dr Ratnakar.

According to the new guidelines, asymptomatic cases are to be treated at home. These cases will be given immunity boosting pills. The treatment at home option will be implemented if the patient and his or her family agree to it. They will have to separate the patient and abide by all the rules. In addition to this, treatment has also been started at private hospitals solving the bed and ventilator issues in the district, said Sindhu B Rupesh, DK Deputy Commissioner.

In Udupi district, Dr TM Pai Hospital was the first to be designated as a COVID-19 hospital. Additionally, a nursing training institute, Social Welfare Department’s hostel, Kundapura and Karkala taluk hospitals, Kundapura’s old Adarsha Hospital and a hostel at Kollur been prepared for COVID-19 treatment. SDM Ayurveda Hospital at Kutpadi here will also be used for COVID-19 treatment if needed.

There are 16 ventilators available in the district of which 1 is presently in use. Similarly, of the 1,200 beds available in the district only 202 are presently in use for providing treatment. Thus, Udupi district is more adequately equipped for a COVID-19 emergency.

Special teams have been formed to deal with any situation and they have been given proper directions. The district currently has 1,200 beds, and more will be ready if the need arrives, said G Jagadeesh, Udupi Deputy Commissioner.