Kerala: Now, focus on health staff and hospital beds

Rajiv G | TNN | Jun 11, 2020, 08:55 IST

Athira bids farewell to her husband Nithin Chandran whose body was brought to the private hospital where she is under treatment after her delivery. Nithin died in Dubai on Monday.

Athira bids farewell to her husband Nithin Chandran whose body was brought to the private hospital where she i...Read More

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a major change in quarantine protocol following the spike in Covid-19 cases in the state, the state expert committee on coronavirus has recommended to the state government to reconsider the 14-day quarantine given to health workers, including doctors and nurses, on Covid duty in hospitals and instead provide them a three-day break after their two-week duty.
However, all health workers should undergo a GeneXpert test soon after the completion of their duty. If found negative, they can report back for duty on the fourth day. The committee, which made the recommendation in the wake of an increase in patient load in government hospitals, said the 14-day quarantine for health workers could trigger a staff shortage in hospitals.
Health workers, including doctors and nurses, are now going on a 14-day quarantine after Covid duty, with the next team taking over for two weeks. With more cases being reported in each district, patients are now admitted to general hospitals besides medical college hospitals. The medical team is divided into three in all hospitals to create a reserve pool. Also, most of those completing the duty opt for 14-day quarantine at the hospital itself or other places as they cannot go home.
At present, 1,238 patients are under treatment in isolation wards of various government hospitals. Besides them, 1,844 people with suspected symptoms are also admitted to various hospitals.
The expert committee, headed by B Ekbal, also pointed out that health workers will have to be deputed for special duties as well with the onset of monsoon and the threat of related diseases.
It also expressed concern over rising Covid-19 cases among health workers. In the third phase of the pandemic in the state after May 7, 29 health workers have tested positive for the virus. These include nurses, nursing assistants and junior public health nurses who were put on either Covid ward duty or screening duty at various points. The committee said the infection control mechanism should be strengthened in hospitals where these health workers were on duty and also hospitals where patients are admitted.