Omicron scare: Hospitals in Chandigarh are on high alert

The threat presented by the new South African variety, Omicron, has caused the Health Department to place UT hospitals on high alert in order to reactivate Covid beds.

According to the action plan, the hospital in Sector 48 will open with 121 oxygenated beds (including 17 ventilator beds) as soon as the GMCH-32 reaches roughly 80% occupancy.

Special arrangements have been made in the Sector 45 hospital for children with a sufficient number of ventilator beds. The sub-district hospitals at Sector-22 and Mani Majara are also prepared to take initial care of some patients. Besides, three mini-Covid care centres are in the state of temporary closure and can be revived withing a notice of two or three days.

A review meeting was held today to discuss the emergent issues especially because of the new variant of concern, Omicron. The meeting was attended by the Director Principal of GMCH-32, the Director, Health Services, and Dr Naveen, from the PGI.

The Covid test of all patients visiting the OPDs of the GMSH-16, sub-district hospitals at Sectors 22, 45 and Mani Majra, and the GMCH-32 has been ordered by the department. In case of any hospital admission, all patients will be subjected to rapid antigen test (RAT) and RTPCR tests, and in case of OPDs, all patients are to be subjected to RAT.