Concerned with the spiralling rise in the Covid cases in the steel city, district administration has decided to increase beds in the Covid-designated hospitals here.

In view of the rapid spike in the Covid cases, the administration has resolved to increase unspecified number of beds at both private-run and government-run health hubs where Covid treatment facility is available.

Elaborating on the decision, Dhalbhum sub-divisional officer, Sandeep Kumar Meena said they have to increase the existing number of beds in the Covid-deginated hospitals the volume of Covid cases may be many times more during the peak period of the pandemic's third wave than what the steel city had experienced during its past two waves in 2020 and 2021 respectively.

"We have, therefore, reviewed the present statuses of beds, including the oxigen-suported and ventilator-supported beds in the city hospitals and have decided to increase the beds capacity as early as possible, " said Meena while talking to The Telegraph Online.

The Dhalbhum SDO pointed out the administration wants to see that the beds capacity is increased considerably within the next 10 days for while they have also started holding talks with the management of hospitals concerned.

Currently, there are 2,635 beds in the Covid-designated hospitals, including Tata Main Hospital, Tata Motors Hospital and MGM Medical College Hote. Of the existing beds, the Tata Main House has 1,075 beds. Other major hospitals that have beds for Covid treatment include Mercy Have (250) beds, Sadar Hospital (190), MGM medical college hospital (186) and Tata Motors Hospital (175) beds.

During the past 24 hours 593 people were tested Coronavirus positive in the steel city besides two deaths.

Significantly, as of now 51 doctors and 146 nurses have been tested Coronavirus positive in the city since January first.

Meanwhile, the district health department on Saturday carried out a drive of mask-checking at the crowded markets, including Bistupur and Sakchi markets. Those found without masks were subjected to Covid test on the spot.