From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Apr 6: Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) chief commissioner Gaurav Gupta said the zonal health officers have been instructed to double the vaccination rate in the city in the wake of the second Covid wave in Bengaluru.
At present 35,000 people in the city are being vaccinated on daily basis.
BBMP has been taking several measures to contain the Covid-19 virus, he said while addressing media persons after chairing a meeting of BBMP on compliance of Covid norms, vaccination and testing with special commissioners, joint commissioners and health commissioners.
Gaurav Gupta said there is a dire need to increase the vaccination rate in the city.
Asha workers have been instructed to raise awareness among those eligible for the vaccine and encourage them to get vaccinated.
Additionally, the vaccination rate will be doubled as 2 lac doses of vaccines will arrive tomorrow, he said.
Covid Care Centres
Covid Care Centres are already operating at Haj Bhavan and HAL in the city, the chief commissioner said and added that hotels with 50-bed capacity and unused buildings will be used at two to three areas at all zones as Covid care centres to isolate asymptomatic patients.
BBMP officials have also been instructed to seal the areas with heavy footfalls where Covid norms are not followed, he said.
He said that Covid tests must be increased in places surrounding areas where Covid cases are on the rise, under BBMP Limits. Officers have been instructed to check the positivity rate at the apartment level besides conducting tests at ward/primary health centres and take necessary actions.
Most of the Covid cases are in Maharashtra, Punjab and Kerala and hence, testing will be increased while keeping a check on people travelling from other states via aeroplanes, buses and trains.
The suggestion to self-isolate those from other states, who are at present in large number, and then conduct tests will be considered and proposed to the state government, he said.
20% beds to be reserved in private hospitals:
Previously, 50% of beds were reserved for Covid-infected, under BBMP limits. With the outbreak of the second wave, the beds must be reserved accordingly.
In this regard, the chief commissioner instructed the private hospitals to reserve 20% of the beds for the treatment of Covid-19 patients.
Victoria Hospital visit:
The BBMP chief commissioner asked the Victoria Hospital administration to increase the bed capacity reserved for Covid-19 patients as well as the vaccination rate.
He visited the hospital to review the vaccination process and bed capacity in the wake of the second Covid-19 wave on Tuesday.
The hospital has three session sites for vaccination and 100 to 120 people are being vaccinated on daily basis.
Out of over 1,000 patients who visit the hospital every day, more than 300 people can be vaccinated by creating awareness about the vaccine, he said.
The hospital staff has been instructed to take action in this regard and install instruction boards at hospital premises about the vaccine.
Previously, all beds at Victoria Hospital were dedicated to treating patients infected with Covid-19. There are now 150 beds dedicated to Covid-infected people and the remaining beds are being used to treat those suffering from other illnesses.
As all beds currently reserved for Covid have been filled, instructions have been given to increase the bed capacity for Covid-infected patients.
Special commissioner (Health) Rajendra Cholan, chief health officer, Dr Vijendra, Manoranjan Hegde, health officer, West Zone and other officials were present.