Health ministry decides to use modified train coaches for mild Coronavirus cases

NEW DELHI: Considering the possibility of increase in novel Coronavirus infections, the Health Ministry has decided to use train coaches as COVID Care Centres for suspected or confirmed patients categorized as mild or very mild cases.

According to a "guidance document on appropriate management of suspect/ confirmed cases of COVID-L9: Railway Coaches - COVID Care Centre" released by health ministry on Wednesday, the patients lodged in coaches will be observed for their symptoms and clinical condition. In cases of change of the symptoms or clinical conditions, they would be referred to a designated centre or hospital for further management, the document said.

Separate coaches for suspect and confirmed cases should be ensured to avoid cross infection, the document says.

"As far as possible, wherever cases are admitted in the COVID Care Center coach, preferably individual cabin should be assigned for each case. Should the situation warrant, up to a maximum of two confirmed patients can be assigned in individual cabin," the ministry stated.

The Centre has classified health facilities into three categories -- COVID Care Center, Dedicated COVID Health Centre (DCHC) and Dedicated COVID Hospital (DCH).

The COVID Care Centers offer care only for cases that have been clinically assigned as mild or very mild cases or suspect cases while Dedicated COVID Health Centre are hospitals that offer care for all cases that have been clinically assigned as moderate.