A detailed set of guidelines has been issued by the Maharashtra public health department that includes a formula to reduce a number of COVID beds to be kept operational, in expectation of a second wave of infections. The state said that districts should keep 20-60% of their COVID beds operational based on positivity rate and the existing COVID graph.

On Wednesday, the circular issued stated that districts which havea positivity rate of less than 7% should keep a minimum 5-7 dedicated COVID hospitals functional that would interpret into 20% of total COVID beds. Districts which havea positivity rate of above 7% and upto 10% should keep a minimum of 40% COVID beds operational by reserving the government medical colleges and one hospital each in every taluka. For districts which have a positivity rate of 11-15%, upto 60% COVID beds are to be kept operational. And in those districts with a positivity rate of 16-20%, authorities have asked to keep operational all multispecialty hospitals, apart from keeping up to 60% beds operating in COVID centres.

Dr Pradeep Awate, state surveillance officer said that districts can make their own arrangements based on their daily developments. As the numbers are decreasing every day, several private hospitals have already started to approach collectors to convert COVID hospitals into non-COVID hospitals. Therefore, they have given this formula so that districts can continue minimum bed provisions in case of a spurt. The state is anticipating anupsurge either post-Diwali or in January.

The state has asked districts to make sure that 50% of medicine stocks are available when cases are at their highest along with buffer stock for an additional 15 days. Districts are asked to make sure that the oxygen requirement and supply to be monitored closely.

The guidelines state that oxygen requirements of private hospitals should be taken into account if treating COVID-19 patients. The contact numbers for ambulances should also be made available to the public. A senior FDA official said that oxygen requirement has decreased considerably since the September-end. Many of the medical colleges have mounted the liquid oxygen tanks in their premises.

The state has asked the local administrations to make sure that those who have co-morbidities during door-to-door surveys should be monitored. The state had found above 23 lakh people out of 11.92 crore patients living with hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and other ailments.

Rajesh Tope, Public health minister said that the state is already prepared for a second wave. He has urged compliance with COVID protocols to make sure that the spike in cases is least. Tope said that they have seen 25,000 cases in a day during the upsurge in the state and are prepared to handle 10-20% more cases in case required. He further said that with unlocking, people are moving out for work but are following wearing masks and social distancing. There is a little chance that the state might see a second wave due to the drop in temperatures, however it is necessary to be very alert.

Source: ET Healthworld