Tasaduq Hussain
Srinagar, Apr 30: With a resurgence of COVID-19 cases across Jammu and Kashmir, authorities in the three border districts of North Kashmir are gearing up for the possible second wave potent threat.
The three border districts in north Kashmir including Bandipora, Baramulla, and Kupwara are witnessing a surge in COVID-19 cases, while the situation so far is under control with no reports about the dearth of any required medical equipment including beds, oxygen, and medicines.
Nodal officers from the three districts informed that a total of 2314 COVID-19 dedicated beds have been prepared of which 1131 will have high and low flow oxygen support while the work is underway to increase the capacity.
Dr Nabeel, Nodal officer for COVID-19 in Bandipora said that the total bed capacity of COVID care centres has been increased across the district with a high and low flow of oxygen.
He said that in Sumbal-Hajin, Bandipora, and Gurez the total COVID-19 dedicated bed capacity has been increased to 600 at dedicated COVID-19 centres at CHC Dawar, CHC Hajin, District Hospital Bandipora, Indoor Stadium Hajin, and Tebiya College
“New oxygen generation plant with 1000 litres per minute (LPM) capacity will be made functional by Monday at District Hospital Bandipora. The test run has been conducted and the institution also has an ICU facility,” Dr Nabeel said.
“We have augmented the oxygen strength. DH Bandipora has been converted into a dedicated COVID-19 hospital having oxygen-support hundred beds and seven ventilators. All other institutions have concentrators and the cylinders are available in bulk across the district,” Dr Nabeel informed.
Gh Nabi Sheikh Nodal Officer for COVID-19 in Kupwara said that the total COVID-19 dedicated bed capacity is 350 of which only eight have high flow oxygen while 167 beds will have low flow oxygen facility.
He informed that in the border area Machil 10 beds have been dedicated for Covid patients beside one ward at concerned PHC with 10 oxygen cylinders.
“Similarly, in the Keran sector five beds have been dedicated for COVID-19 with the support of 12 oxygen cylinders and a concentrator,” Sheikh said.
Naveed Altaf, Nodal officer for COVID-19 in Baramulla said that 364 beds with oxygen supply have been dedicated for COVID-19 and the plan is underway to increase the bed capacity to 500 as the oxygen plant work at GMC is ongoing.
“We have a capacity of around 1000 beds across the district at COVID-19 care centres (Quarantine centres),” he said.
Naveed informed that Sopore has 1000 litres per minute (LPM) oxygen plant, GMC has a 300 LPM Plant and Indoor Stadium has a 350 LPM oxygen plant.
“Sopore alone has 100 oxygen-supported beds while all the centres including PHC Tarzoo, Bomai, PHC Mohra, PHC Singapore, and PHC Delina have oxygen-supported beds,” he said.
About the remote areas in Baramulla, Naveed said that asymptomatic patients don’t require oxygen while those who have symptoms are catered locally in PHC’s.
“In case of requirement the patient is referred to GMC or Indoor stadium for high flow oxygen,” he said.
