UT ADMN TO ROPE IN HOTELS AS COVID CARE CENTRES

CHANDIGARH: With the city witnessing a rapid surge in Covid-19 cases and hospitals overwhelmed with patients, the UT administration has decided to rope in hotels to double as Covid care centres.

As per the Covid contingency plan, the administration will make use of three CITCO hotels — Mountview, Shivalikview and Parkview — besides James Plaza Hotel in Sector 17 and community centres. These facilities will be utilised to house mild to moderately ill patients. Only those community centres not surrounded by residential areas will be pressed into service.

The city has 700 active Covid cases and concerns have been raised regarding accommodating criticallyill patients.

Stating that there was no shortage of beds, UT adviser Manoj Parida said, “We have a bed capacity of 3,000.

Not all patients require to be admitted in a hospital, but those who do will not face any issue.”

“We are also putting into use GMCH-48 and facilities will be expanded in GMSH-16 as well,” said Parida, adding that the administration had also put in a request for procuring more ventilators with the Union ministry of health.

HELPLINE TO BE LAUNCHED TOO

The UT is all set to launch a helpline to facilitate Covid patients in getting admission in hospitals. “In a couple of days, we will be starting the helpline to resolve any issues related to treatment and availability of beds. Any patient who wants any advice, ambulance, or wants to get admitted and doesn’t know where (s)he will get a bed will be assisted within half an hour,” said Parida.

The helpline will be manned by two doctors and other supporting staff of the Chandigarh Housing Board.