Function halls as Covid centres

GHMC searches for halls to admit patients from slums with mild symptoms

GHMC officials have been hunting for well-ventilated function halls and community halls to accommodate Covid-19 positive residents of notified slums in case they need the home quarantine facility. These halls will be opened for those with mild symptoms of the disease.

The civic authorities have officials to search for 300 function halls, at least two in each circle, for the purpose. They instructed that home isolation halls should be within a two-kilometre radius from the residence. These halls also have to be close to basti dhawakhanas, so that health personnel can closely monitor the Covid-19 patients.

The corporation has instructed zonal commissioners to identify function halls that are bigger than 2,000 square feet with temporary toilet provision. The corporation is also seriously considering using use government’s double bedroom houses on the city outskirts if the need arises.

“Despite these arrangements we could still fall short of isolation centres, since it would not be possible to put over 500 persons in isolation centres daily. The corporation is yet to update the health department regarding the availability of isolation centres,” a senior GHMC official said on condition of anonymity. He said there is confusion over whether or not to hand over the 2BHK houses to beneficiaries, since higher authorities are keen on distributing houses to 2BHK beneficiaries prior to the civic polls.

The official said the corporation would suggest that the government could make use of about 40,000 2BHK houses, since they have dedicated toilets, as isolation facilities to accommodate those who need it.

The official said 8,116 houses were ready with infrastructure and Coronavirus patients with mild symptoms could be shifted immediately for isolation.

●THE CIVIC authorities have officials to search for

300 function halls, at least two in each circle, for the purpose.