Sambalpur: Despite the decreasing number of COVID-19 cases in the State, the Veer Surendra Sai Institute Of Medical Sciences And Research (VIMSAR) is reportedly facing ‘pressure’ due to the huge rush of patients to the hospital following the closure of COVID hospitals in several districts. Though VIMSAR COVID hospital has a total strength of 100 beds and 20 ICUs, no beds are vacant.
A large number of critical COVID patients are reportedly rushing to VIMSAR as the government has already closed COVID hospitals in several districts of western Odisha like Sundergarh, Jharsuguda, Boudh, Sonepur, Bargarh and Sambalpur. Besides, patients from the neighbouring Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh are also visiting the hospital.
Surprisingly, around three to four bodies are being reportedly cremated at the Rajghat funeral ground in Sambalpur every day.
As per the information from the hospital authority, a total of 158 persons were admitted to VIMSAR between December 22 and 28. While as many as 27 COVID and non-COVID patients have died in the hospital in the last seven days - four patients on December 22, two on December 23, five on December 24, three each on December 25, 26 and 27, and seven on December 28.
Meanwhile, VIMSAR Director Lalit Kumar Meher said that the hospital's capacity will be increased soon. "We will add 30 more beds and convert 15 beds to HDA (High Definition Unit) from the existing number of beds," he added.