2,500 asymptomatic patients to be discharged to free up beds

All the 35,009 beds in Mumbai that were reserved for asymptomatic Covid-19 patients will now be kept for symptomatic patients only. The 2,500-odd asymptomatic patients who are kept under observation at Covid care centres (CCC) will be discharged soon as per the new policy of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

As per the earlier guidelines issued by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), high-risk contacts of Covid patients with comorbidities were shifted to CCC-1, while asymptomatic patients who did not require critical care were sent to CCC-2.

Serious patients with fever and low oxygen saturation were sent to dedicated Covid hospitals (DCH).

However, according to the new rules, all asymptomatic patients will be discharged from CCC-2 and will be kept under home quarantine. This will free up beds at CCC-2 for patients showing mild symptoms and those who do not require critical care.

“It is up to the doctors to decide who is mildly, moderately, and severely infected. Normally, patients who just have a cough and cold with no other complications would be kept in CCC-2 while patients with fever and low oxygen saturation with breathing problems would be shifted to hospitals,” said Dr Pradop Ingale, former dean of Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital, also known as Sion hospital. Dr Daksha Shah, deputy health officer confirmed the new development.

At present, 2,425 asymptomatic patients have been kept under observation in converted CCC-2 in 138 schools, 15 buildings, 19 hospitals, 40 halls, and several gymkhanas and hotels. If they do not develop any symptoms, they will be discharged and all the 35,009 beds that were reserved for asymptomatic patients will be saved for the treatment of mild symptomatic patients.

“Our priority is symptomatic patients, so we will reserve all these beds for them. If they develop complications, then we will shift them to dedicated hospitals. We are also in the process of increasing the number of Covid beds in hospitals,” said Dr Ramesh Bharmal, director of major civic-run hospitals and current dean of Sion hospital.

The plan to discharge these asymptomatic patients has raised concerns among health activists. They have opined that if asymptomatic patients are discharged in red zones like Dharavi,

Worli, Govandi, and Kandivli, the virus may spread as social distancing is an uphill task in these congested areas.

“Being a carrier of the virus doesn’t mean that the asymptomatic patient can’t spread it to others. It is impossible to maintain safety in congested areas with common toilets,” said Dr Ravikant Singh, a health activist.

When HT asked ward officers about the safety aspect of the discharge plan, they said that there is no clarification so far. “We are not in favour of this new rule. We have segregated the patients after days of fieldwork. Now, if we release them, we will be back to square one,” said a ward officer, on condition of anonymity.

However, provisions are being made for asymptomatic patients from slums.

“During discharge, all these patients’ profiles are being checked. If anyone is found to be staying in slums, congested areas, or with family members with high-risk comorbidities, we will make alternative arrangements,” said Dr Gautam Bhansali from Bombay Hospital, who is part of BMC’S Covid team.