Isolation ward at civic hospital

NEW DELHI: The North Delhi Municipal Corporation has set up a 14-bed isolation ward at the Hindu Rao Hospital for those suspected to be infected with coronavirus.

This ward previously served as the Swine Flu isolation ward.

“All required logistics have been provided here. Sensitisation and training programme has also been conducted for the staff of Kasturba Hospital,” said north body commissioner Varsha Joshi. Hindu Rao is the north corporation’s biggest hospital and caters to over 5,000 patients daily from Delhi and neighbouring states.

The East Delhi Municipal Corporation also informed the Delhi government and Centre that it is creating separate OPD counters at its Swami Dayanand and Veer Savarkar hospitals “for flu-affected patients and maintain a separate waiting area for them”.

The Delhi municipalities are also creating safeguards at its public toilets, which are used by thousands daily and could become a breeding ground for coronavirus if sanitary conditions are not maintained.

The civic bodies are also taking precautions at their schools, where lakhs of students study. “We have told our school principals to avoid holding the morning prayer assemblies or big gatherings of students for any other purpose for the time being. Besides, the sanitary staff there has been instructed to mop the floors with detergent or Sodium Hypochlorite 1% and clean the door knobs and frequently touched surfaces like railing, furniture, telephone, etc.,” Arun Kumar, spokesperson, EDMC, said.