Surat: In view of the rising coronavirus cases in Gujarat, a Covid-19 hospital was set up in Surat on the order of the state government within 72 hours. The newly constructed hospital, earmarked for Covid-19 patients has 250 beds and is well equipped with all modern medical facilities.
The development came after the order of Chief Minister Vijay Rupani who ordered the health department to set up a designated Covid-19 hospital. Former district collector and special officer Mahendra Patel was appointed to head the task force to fight against Covid-19. The newly corona hospital was also visited by state's health minister Kumar Kanani
The state government is also working to add nearly 2,000 more beds across its hospitals in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot and Surat so that exclusive treatment can be provided. Rupani led government announced that state will undergo complete lockdown and only essential services will be available.
In order to contain the spread of the virus, state government has decided to stock up Hydroxychloroquine which can be provided to health workers, doctors and Covid-19 patients after the ascent of the Central Government. Covid-19 infection control facilities will also be set up by the health department and a 1200 bed facility at the Ahmedabad Civil hospital is also expected to start soon. District officers are also in process to set up various hospitals especially designed to treat Covid-19 patients.
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Recently, a testing lab was also opened in Vadodara to ease the process of testing of Covid-19 patients. At present, four places Ahmedabad, Jamnagar, Surat, Bhavnagar have the facility of testing labs. Apart from this,Navsari BJP MP CR Patil announced Rs 1 crore from his MP’s grant to Surat District Collector and Rs 50 lakh to Navsari District Collector to purchase ventilators and medical equipment to fight COVID-19
Rupani also interacted with Covid-19 patients and doctors with a help of a video conference and applauded the efforts of the medical staff who are working selflessly in this crisis. He advised the patients not to panic and to practice social distancing and to observe self-isolation even after the recovery.
Total number of positive Covid-19 cases in Gujarat surged to 43 on March 26. The state witnessed its first death on Thursday as a 85-year-old patient, who had tested positive for Covid-19 died at Ahmedabad Civil hospital. Health officials said that she was suffering from various complications and had a travel history to Saudi Arabia.
