The Ranchi district administration is setting up a 700 bed Covid care centre at mega sports complex in Hotwar in the wake of a rise in cases.

In the last four days, 629 new cases have been reported in the capital.

Civil surgeon V.B. Prasad said they have begun ground works for setting up of the centre which will exclusively cater to asymptomatic patients.

“Following the deputy commissioner’s directives, we are making logistic arrangements for laying beds, and making other arrangements like water connection, electricity, food among others to house asymptomatic patients. Last year too, Hotwar complex was utilised when the Covid cases peaked. Even though, we can’t say cases are on peak now, but the way they are on the rise, we have to be prepared to handle the influx of infections,” said Prasad on Sunday.

He added that the rise in testing, mainly at transit points are one of the reasons for the spike.

“The spike is part of growing trend in the country. As people are returning from high load states for Holi and other festivals, we are making them undergo testing at railway station and airport, which is leading to the spike,” he said.

Currently, district administration has already readied 1500 beds including both public and private hospitals. The new addition in Hotwar will take the numbers to 2100.

Meanwhile, extending its earlier order, the district administration has extended prohibitory orders till April 30 under which all kinds of congregations, processions, religious functions and the likes have been banned. Earlier, the administration had only enforced section 144 under Crpc for Holi on March 28 and 29 and on Ramnavami and Sarhul falling in the second week of April. In a late night notification, Ranchi SDO Sameera S has annulled previous orders to enforce fresh ban till the end of April.