Nagpur civic body setting up 5,000-bed 'COVID-19 Centre'

Nagpur, May 11 () The Nagpur Municipal Corporation(NMC)is setting up a 5,000-bed capacity 'COVID-19 Centre'here as part of proactive measure to tackle the outbreak ofthe novel coronavirus, the civic chief said on Monday.

Already, 500 beds are available for use at the centre.

NMC commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said the municipalcorporation is setting up the mega 'COVID-19 Centre' at theRadha Saomi Satsang premises near Yerla.

"We have already set up 500 beds and have madeprovision for 2,500 beds more and if need arises, it can beincreased up to 5,000 beds.

"This arrangement has been made in case the number ofpatients increases suddenly," said Mundhe.

There are already several other COVID-19 care centres(quarantine facilities) functional in the city.

Mundhesaid the new facility would not be neededimmediately as currently the number of positive patients wasless than 300 in the city.

"People who are high risk, symptomatic or pre-symptomatic will be taken to COVID-19 care centres.

"Subsequently, these people will be screened and theirswabs will be taken for testing. Accordingly, if anyone testspositive, he will be shifted to the isolation ward set up inthe COVID-10 care centre here," the IAS officer said.

"Subsequently, if an individual is asymptomatic thenhe will stay there, while a symptomatic patient will beshifted to a COVID-19 health centre or COVID-19 hospital,"said Mundhe.

Mundhe said about 20 personnel, including medical,paramedical and other support staff, will assigned for every100 beds.

Similarly, food, water, electricity and otherfacilities are available along with adequate police personnelin the centre, he said.

Nagpur has reported 296 coronavirus patients tillMonday afternoon. CLSRSY RSY