Coronavirus: Odisha plans India's largest hospital dedicated to COVID-19 patients
The Eastern state of Odisha plans to set up two hospitals, dedicated to treating patients of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The planned hospitals will have a combined capacity of 1,000 beds and will start admitting patients soon. China, where the disease originated, had established similar emergency hospitals last month to boost its capacity to treat patients. Here are more details.
Odisha first state to undertake such large-scale hospital construction
According to ANI, the hospital in Odisha will be functional in around two weeks. Odisha is the first state in the country to undertake the construction of such a large-scale hospital exclusively for COVID-19 patients. The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding for the hospitals will be provided by Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) and Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL).
Odisha signed two tripartite agreements with SUM, KIIMS Medical Colleges
A statement from Bhubaneswar CMO said, "Following Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's direction to provide state-of-the-art facility to COVID-19 patients, Odisha has planned the biggest COVID-19 hospitals in the country." It added, "Accordingly, Odisha government signed two tripartite agreements with SUM and KIIMS Medical Colleges today at Lok Seva Bhawan to set up 1,000 bedded state-level hospitals in Bhubaneswar for the treatment of COVID-19 patients."
Reliance set up coronavirus treatment center in 2 weeks
The Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital has set up a 100-bed facility dedicated to COVID-19 at the Seven Hills Hospital, Mumbai. Reliance undertook the project in collaboration with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The "first-of-its-kind-in-India" facility was set up within two weeks. RIL said that all beds have been equipped with the required infrastructure and biomedical equipment such as ventilators, pacemakers, dialysis machines, etc.
In other news, Centre approved doorstep delivery of medicines
The Centre on Thursday allowed for doorstep deliveries of medicines and drugs in view of the coronavirus pandemic that has led to a 21-day nationwide lockdown in India. On Tuesday, the Centre had allocated Rs. 15,000 crore towards developing India's health infrastructure, training healthcare professionals, and increasing the number of hospital beds, testing kits, etc. Starting today, private hospitals have started treating COVID-19 patients.
649 confirmed coronavirus cases reported in India
As of 10:15 am on Thursday, India's Health Ministry had confirmed a total of 649 coronavirus cases, including 13 deaths. Reportedly, the death toll has climbed to 18 since. The 649 cases include 593 active cases—42 patients have been cured/discharged and one has migrated out of India. Maharashtra remains the worst-hit Indian state, with 124 confirmed infections and four deaths.
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 was first reported in China's Wuhan city in December 2019. The disease is caused by a novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. The virus attacks a host's respiratory system triggering symptoms such as fever, cough, and breathing difficulties. In severe cases, it may cause pneumonia, multiple organ failure, or death. COVID-19 has spread to roughly 170 countries, killing over 21,000 and sickening 4.7 lakh.
