Over 3,000 beds reserved in Bengaluru hospitals to treat coronavirus patients

Amid rising COVID-19 cases here, over 3,000 beds in private hospitals have been reserved for treating patients while a 10,100-bed coronavirus care centre, biggest in country, has been set up, authorities said on Sunday.

Karnataka Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar said 3,331 beds in 72 private hospitals have been earmarked for COVID-19 patients.

city civic body - Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Commissioner B H Anil Kumar said sprawling Bangalore International Exhibition Centre has been converted into a coronavirus care centre with 10,100 beds.

"Across Bengaluru, 3,331 beds have been reserved in 72 hospitals for treating coronavirus patients. By Saturday evening 733 beds were occupied and 2,598 beds were uccupied," Medical Education Minister tweeted.

Recently, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa had convened a meeting with private hospital owners during which he directed m to reserve at least 50 per cent beds to treat coronavirus cases.

government had set a target to reserve at least 2,000 beds for coronavirus patients.

However, number has swelled to 3,331.

Meanwhile, BBMP Commissioner Anil Kumar on Sunday visited coronavirus care centre at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre along with Yelahanka BJP MLA S R Vishwanath.

"BIEC has been converted into a 10,100 bed Covid Care Centre. Visited centre along with hon'ble MLA @SRVishwanathBJP, @BBMPSWMJtComm & or #BBMP officials," Kumar tweeted.

He also said centre is well ventilated, has adequate number of toilets, nursing stations, kitchens and or required facilities.

centre is ready to house asymptomatic patients, including children.

BBMP Joint Commissioner (Solid Waste Manment), Sarfaraz Khan told P T I, "This is biggest ever COVID care centre in country. Delhi has a COVID care centre of 10,000 beds in Radha Soami Satsang." As many as 150 doctors will man centre. Oxygen facilities will be available in some beds for patients who need it, he said.

In addition, re will be adequate arrangements to shift critically-ill patients to nearby hospitals, Khan added.

Bengaluru has seen biggest ever spike in coronavirus cases in past one week. city has witnessed 8,345 positive cases, of which 7,250 are active cases.

city has so far reported 129 deaths due to virus.

Im Credits: PTI