Unless needed, avoid rushing to hospitals: Odisha Govt

BHUBANESWAR: The state government on Friday appealed to people testing positive for Covid-19 to avoid rushing to hospitals out of panic.
In a video message, additional chief secretary (health) Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra said hospital beds should be left for critical patients, while most others would do better if they were to stay in home isolation and seek treatment.
“Precious hospital beds should not be occupied by those who don’t need it. My sincere appeal is please make way for critical care patients in hospital. If it’s not needed, please don’t come to hospitals,” Mohapatra said.
The senior health administrator added that while people with 92% to 95% oxygen saturation level can stay at home, those with co-morbidities may need extra care and hospitalization.
“Experts are available round-the-clock to provide consultation to patients in home isolation to help them recover better in a homely ambience rather than face unpleasant hospital experience. If hospitalization is needed, the government will facilitate sending ambulances to the patients’ doorsteps,” he said.
The senior health department functionary’s appeal came amid rising cases of hospitalization in the state owing to a spurt in cases. At present, 5,217 patients are hospitalised, including 1,426 in the ICU.
As many as 3,791 patients are occupying general beds against the bed strength of 8,463, which accounts for an occupancy of (44%). It has been steadily rising. The ICU occupancy is 69% with 1,426 patients admitted against 2,063 ICU beds. As many as 270 patients are on ventilator support.
Stating that nobody had imagined the second wave of the pandemic would be so ferocious, Mohapatra said, “No health expert can estimate with certainty what will happen and where we will land.”