Guwahati, April 25: A mid-heightened demand for medical oxygen and bed crisis, the Assam government has launched an initiative to put up Oxygen plants in all district hospitals across the state as well as a temporary Covid-19 hospital with 200 ICU beds in Guwahati.
Assam Health Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said that following the first wave of Covid-19, the state has installed eight oxygen plants (5.25 MT/day), adding that work on the oxygen plants in the state’s six medical colleges has already begun.
“Oxygen from its plant has been used by medical colleges. The construction of an oxygen plant in district hospitals is currently underway,” said Himanta Biswa Sarma.
According to the state health department, the state’s current oxygen storage capacity has been increased from 43 MT to 288.19 MT.
On the other hand, Assam received 2 lakh more doses of Covishield vaccines from the central government on Saturday, bringing the state’s total number of doses to 4, 06,610.
Taking to Twitter, Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote, “Pleased to share that we’ve received a fresh batch of 2 lakh more doses of #CovishieldVaccine from the Government of India, which shall help us further step up our #COVIDVaccination program in Assam. Our current dose availability stands at 406,610.”
Pleased to share that we've received fresh batch of 2 lakh more doses of #CovishieldVaccine from Government of India, which shall help us further step up our #COVIDVaccination program in Assam.
Our current doses availability stands at 406,610.
Stay safe. pic.twitter.com/TPSZzxIiQJ
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) April 24, 2021
The Assam government is also setting up a 750-bed temporary hospital, including a 200-ICU beds facility at the Khanapara ground in Guwahati to treat Covid-19 patients.
“A 750-bed temporary hospital including 200-bed ICU is being set up at Khanapara field for treatment of #COVID patients. Inspected sites with officials of Health Dept & PWD today and asked for work to be expedited,” tweeted Himanta Biswa Sarma.
A 750-bed temporary hospital including 200-bed ICU is being set-up at Khanapara field for treatment of #COVID patients. Inspected sites with officials of Health Dept & PWD today and asked for work to be expedited. pic.twitter.com/xqg7Dt6qnD
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) April 23, 2021
Meanwhile, a 400-bed Covid Care Centre will be built at the Sarusajai Stadium complex.
Isolation and management of #COVID19 patients are key to their faster recovery, as was effectively done last year by our doctors & paramedic teams. We're again setting up the Sarusajai facility with a 400-bed Covid Care Centre. Visited the site today. pic.twitter.com/6mmYtsOKPy
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) April 23, 2021
The Assam government is also planning to construct two more Covid-19 care centers in Guwahati.
According to reports, the state health department and the National Health Mission, Assam, have set up more than 350 beds in the Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium in the Sarusajai Stadium complex and are planning to build a screening center within the complex.
“In the next two days, a 400-bed Covid-19 care centre will open in Sarusajai stadium. In addition, another Covid-19 care center with 250 beds will open in the next 4-5 days at SIRD, Kahikuchi. We also intend to build another Covid-19 care centre with 400 beds at Patanjali Yogpeeth. Covid-19 care centres with 1050 beds will be ready in a week,” Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
Also Read: Assam: All functions canceled in Chirang with Covid-19 situation turning grim in-state
The state’s caseload of active cases at the moment has breached the 15,000-mark while 67 people have succumbed to the virus so far in this month.
On Friday, the state saw a spike of 2,348 new Covid-19 cases, of which 883 have been detected in the Kamrup (Metropolitan) district. The test positivity percentage also reached 3.29 percent on April 23.
Meanwhile, Assam recorded its first instance of the Indian double mutant strain of Covid-19 on Thursday.
