Odisha: BMC To Add Hospital Beds As Covid-19 Cases Surge In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: With the spurt in Covid-19 cases in the Capital City of Odisha which has triggered fears of a second wave infection, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday decided to ramp up treatment facilities for positive patients by adding more beds in designated hospitals.

BMC Commissioner Prem Chandra Chaudhary said that the number of beds available at the designated hospitals are being increased from the existing 150.

“Around 70 Covid-infected patients are undergoing treatment at the designated hospitals under the jurisdiction of BMC till yesterday. The number is likely to go up. Therefore, we have already started the process to add more beds for accommodating the patients,” informed Chaudhary.

Chaudhary further stated that everyday around 5 to 10 travellers are testing positive for coronavirus infection at the Biju Patnaik International Airport.

“As there are no travel restrictions and people in the city are also not adhering to protocols like maintaining social distancing, the number of cases are increasing in the Capital City,” said the BMC Commissioner.

Enforcement squads have been formed jointly with the Commissionerate Police which have intensified checks in markets, shopping malls, educational institutes and other public places. Fines are also being collected from defaulters, said Chaudhary.

On the possibility of imposition of night curfew in Bhubaneswar, Chaudhary said that the decision in that regard will be taken by the State Government.

However, BMC has reduced the number of participants at marriage ceremonies to 100 while 50 persons will be allowed at funerals as a precautionary measure to tackle the spread of Covid cases, stated Chaudhary.

Bhubaneswar on Monday reported 75 new cases, taking its total case tally to 32,731 so far.