Karnataka Covid task force head Ashwath Narayan says quicker test results will enable early treatment
BENGALURU:
The time taken for Covid-19 test results and BU code generation will be brought down to 7 hours, according to DyCM and state Covid task force chairman Dr CN Ashwath Narayan.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday after reviewing the situation in Malleswaram, Dr Narayan said KC General Hospital was providing Covid test results in 7 hours and this model would be replicated across the state.
He noted that earlier it used to take 72 hours to get results after samples were sent to the laboratory. The reduced time for test results will enable early detection and treatment of the infection, he added.
Blood tests on isolatees
Blood tests will be done on those in home isolation to determine the condition of the patient and his/her inflammatory markers, the DyCM said.
Oxygen produced in the state will be completely utilised within the state itself. Currently, the state has a supply of 850 tonnes, and if the demand increases arrangements will be made to get it from other states or even from other countries, he said.
Dr Narayan pointed out that anti-viral drug Remdesivir is useful only in the primary stages of the infection, and not when the infection has advanced.
He noted that 30-40% of infected persons are getting admitted to hospitals out of anxiety, even though they do not require hospital treatment. Steps will be taken to reduce their anxiety levels, he said. The DyCM said hospitals had been told to keep enough stocks of consumables like masks, PPE kits, oximeters and medicines.
Oxygen plant for Ramanagara
To a query on the situation in Ramanagara, Dr Narayan, who is the district’s in-charge minister, said an oxygen storage facility and an oxygen generation plant of 1,000 litres/minute would be set up in the district hospital. Also, discussions are in progress on establishing oxygen generation plants in four other taluk hospitals in the district with the aid of CSR funds. This would reduce the dependency of hospitals on oxygen suppliers and manufacturers.
As of now, the number of active cases in Ramanagara district is around 3,000. Generally, 10% of this, i.e., about 300 patients, need hospitalisation, whereas the district is equipped to handle 30% of the existing number of cases, Narayan said.
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