Sikkim CM Prem Singh Golay takes stock of COVID scene in State

While an 80-bedded COVID-19 care centre is already functioning at Saramsa Garden, another with 30 beds has been set up on a three-storeyed sports department building in Khelgaon

GANGTOK: The State has enough Remedesivir injections, oxygen supply and manpower, claimed Chief Minister of Sikkim Prem Singh Golay after reviewing the State's preparedness to tackle the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in the State. On the occasion, he visited the three designated COVID-19 care centres.

CM Golay urged the public not to panic and requested the aymptomatic COVID-19 patients not to get admitted to hospitals. "Asymptomatic patients must be quarantined at home. Doctors will monitor and look after their wellbeing. But if they face breathing concerns or if their oxygen levels drop, they can be admitted in the hospitals," he said.

On Sunday, Golay began his tour from Paljor Stadium. Then, he visited the two designated floors for COVID-19 treatment at the STNM Hospital here. Later, he went to Khelgaon in Reshithang and finally to Saramsa Garden -- where dedicated COVID-19 care centres will be established. While a 30-bedded COVID-19 care centre has been set up on a three-storey sports department building in Khelgaon, an 80-bedded facility is in place at Saramsa Garden. The gymnasium hall, in Paljor Stadium has room for more expansion; and, the facility is being kept ready to accommodate the floating numbers in the case of a crisis.

CM Golay asserted before media persons that the STNM Hospital has 120 beds and 120 private cabins, besides dedicated COVID-19 care units on the eighth and ninth floors. "We have around 300 beds in STNM Hospital, 100 in CRH, along with the district hospitals," he added.

Commenting on the COVID-19 care centres, the CM said: "Paljor Stadium was used as a COVID-19 care centre earlier too. We are also using Khelgaon in Reshithang, while a devoted COVID-19 care centre for women will be set up in Saramsa Garden. The STNM Hospital presently has only around 100 COVID-19 patients. The hospital still has 200 beds available for COVID patients."

With 1,808 COVID-19 active cases; and, over 90 admitted in STNM Hospital alone, the super-specialty hospital has now added 115 COVID-19 beds on the eighth and ninth floors of the main hospital under its COVID-19 section, as was done last year.

While the State government is providing beds and mattresses at the COVID-19 care centres, patients need to only bring their pillows, bedsheets and blankets, said Golay, adding that food along with medicines will be ensured by the centres.

On concerns of lockdown with the rising number of Coronavirus cases, Golay said, "There is no lockdown being considered. The cases are rising but to break the chain, government offices have been shut till May 7, along with weekend lockdown of commercial spaces."

"Last year, due to lockdown and various COVID-19 protocols, vehicles maintained social distancing with 50% occupancy. They faced a lot of losses. There is no situation like that yet," he said, adding: "Self-awareness and wearing masks are the best way to counter. We want to curtail the surge in cases and also continue with the economy."

On the requirement of more workforce, the CM said, "We created 40 posts of medical officers last year. We relaxed the rules, we had walk-in interviews and there was no reservation.

''Once again, we will appoint more doctors, specialist doctors and their salaries will be enhanced. Notification will be issued, specialist doctors working in other hospitals will be encouraged to work in the government hospitals." (Agencies)

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