THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The rise in Covid cases has prompted hospitals, especially in the private sector, to revisit the arrangements made during the previous waves. The technical committee of the state chapter of Indian Medical Association (IMA) has discussed the present spurt and conveyed the measures to be taken in the days to come to the hospitals. The primary focus is on improving the precautionary measures, increasing testing and bed arrangements.
The number of patients has crossed the 15,000-mark and the rate of spread of infection is high. The state contributes almost one-third of active cases in the country. More than 2,000 people had tested positive on a daily basis for almost a week.
The health experts, however, said the situation is far from alarming and the arrangements have been made. “We have already apprised hospitals of the situation through consultants. All hospitals which were treating Covid patients have a system in place. They may have to bring it back to ensure treatment of Covid patients in isolation,” said IMA state chapter vice-president Dr Gopikumar P. “The number of Covid admissions is only a few. However, we should increase the number of persons being tested, especially if the patient is coming from a cluster area. While Covid due to Omicron is mild, the concern is on its manifestation in people with co-morbidities in the form of post-infection complications,” he added.
According to him, all hospitals are in the process of educating the public and staff who show laxity in using masks on hospital premises. The IMA through its local branches has started providing awareness classes after more healthcare workers including doctors tested positive for Covid.
The government hospitals have not started any special arrangements for the present situation as the number of patients with severity is very low. “There is no need to worry about the present spurt. Most Omicron cases are treated similar to that of a common cold. But we should not let our guard down and follow the Covid protocol,” said Dr G S Vijayakrishnan, a member of the Kerala State Medical Council and state president of Kerala Government Medical Officers’ Association (KGMOA).
“The hospitals have a dynamic system which can quickly rearrange the wards and other facilities according to the patient load,” he added. According to him, there shall be no laxity in completing the Covid vaccination, including the precautionary doses, as per the schedule. The parents should not send children to school for four-five days if they show any symptoms of Covid.