Delhi Hospitals Ordered to Boost Preparedness for Potential Covid-19 Surge
Government Issues Advisory to Ensure Healthcare Readiness
The Delhi government has issued a directive to all hospitals in the city, both public and private, to enhance their preparedness for a potential rise in Covid-19 cases. This comes as a precautionary measure, following recent reports of increased infections in other parts of the country. The advisory emphasizes the need to ensure the availability of hospital beds, oxygen, medicines, and vaccines.
Current Situation in Delhi Remains Low
As of May 19, Delhi has only five active cases of Covid-19, indicating that the virus is not prevalent in the region this year. However, the advisory urges hospitals to remain vigilant and prepare for any possible upsurge in cases. The government has stressed the importance of maintaining readiness in case of an increase in infections.
Key Measures for Hospital Preparedness
- Ensure the availability of hospital beds, oxygen supplies, essential medicines, and vaccines.
- Conduct refresher training for staff handling Covid-19 cases.
- Check that all life-saving equipment, such following ventilators, BiPAP machines, oxygen concentrators, and PSA units, are functional and ready for use.
- Report daily cases of Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) through the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP).
- Update the Delhi state health data management portal daily with relevant health metrics.
Context of the Advisory
The advisory follows reports of a surge in cases in countries like Singapore and Hong Kong. While India’s overall situation remains under control, health officials have held meetings with technical experts to review the national situation. Delhi has seen low activity in the virus since 2024, with the last significant advisory issued in March 2023.
Importance of Preventive Measures
The advisory also emphasizes the importance of basic preventive measures. Respiratory etiquette, including mask-wearing within hospital premises, must be strictly enforced. The government has called for strict compliance with the advisory to ensure that the city’s healthcare infrastructure remains ready to respond swiftly to any potential surge in cases.
Focus on Variant Detection
All positive Covid-19 samples must be sent to LokNayak hospital for Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) to enable timely detection of new variants. The number of samples sent for sequencing should also be shared with the State Surveillance Unit.
Healthcare Readiness and Public Safety
The Delhi government has issued this advisory to ensure that the city’s healthcare system is prepared for any potential increase in cases. The directive underscores the importance of maintaining a robust healthcare infrastructure and public awareness to prevent any disruption in services.