Mangaluru: Though the bed availability for Covid-19 positive patients in Dakshina Kannada district is comfortably placed over 70%, officials have taken a grim view of steady increase in the flow of infected patients from other districts, and have been planning alternative arrangements.

Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Dr Rajendra K V said on Friday that over 4,816 beds in 124 hospitals had been identified for Covid-19 patients. As many as 3,035 beds are in general category and 135 beds are in ICU.

Nearly 1,263 beds were equipped with oxygens and 140 beds with ventilators in the ICU. Special nodal officers had been appointed to ensure that there was no shortage of beds and medicines like Remdesivir injections even in private hospitals.

Sources in the district Health and Family Welfare department informed that presently those with relatives in Mangaluru are shifting from Bengaluru, in the of acute bed shortage. “But as in the past, we are getting more Covid-19 positive patients from the neighbouring Kerala state,” informed sources.

In the coming days, the admission of Covid-19 positive patients from other districts will increase, he added.

The deputy commissioner said Covid-19 patients from other districts cannot be denied treatment. In case of sudden increase in the number of patients, they had made alternative arrangements like Covid Care Centres (CCC) and medical colleges collaborating with nearest hotels and creating additional beds for those with mild symptoms. The district is prepared to tackle any exponential increase in number of patients, he said.

‘My Family, My Responsibility’ slogan

“My Family, My Responsibility’ should be the slogan of each individual in order to defeat the second wave of Covid-19,” DC Rajendra stressed.

He sought the co-operation of the public to follow guidelines during the weekend curfew to break the transmission chain and prevent another lockdown.

Only shops selling essential items like food, milk, etc, will remain open. Hotels on National Highways will be open to ensure that truck drivers do not starve.

To ensure there are no ‘super spreaders’, he urged the public to get themselves tested and assist the officials in contact tracing.