The Tata Main Hospital, concerned over a possible third wave, has decided to come up with a special Covid ward dedicated to children.

In a weekly telephonic conference on Friday evening, Dr Rajan Choudhury, advisor, Medical Services, Tata Steel said that with reports suggesting a possible third wave and its impact mostly on children they are focusing on augmenting paediatric facilities.

“We have decided to come up with special Covid wards for children in order to tackle the impact of the third wave. The focus will be on maximising beds with oxygen and air conditioning. We are also shutting two wards G1 and G2 for necessary renovation. This is a part of our strategy for the possible third wave,” he said.

Referring to the prevailing Covid situation, he said the second wave is showing a downward trend for the last few days.

Providing statistics he said the Covid-19 positivity rate has reduced to 18.53 per cent in the last three days.

In the last three days 64 patients were admitted at the hospital. The deaths at the hospital have also reduced to 24 in the last three days with an average eight deaths per day.

Out of 24 deaths, 20 were from East Singhbhum and four were from adjoining Seraikela-Kharsawan district. The recovery rate has improved to 79.13 per cent.

The private hospital run by Tata Steel has also completed 56,372 vaccinations.

He appealed to people that even after vaccination one must continue to follow Covid-19 protocols including wearing masks, hand sanitisation, social distancing and avoiding crowded places.

Three patients die of black fungus

Tata Main Hospital witnessed three deaths due to Mucormycosis or black fungus.

A total of seven patients suffering from black fungus were admitted at the hospital.

The hospital is also facing shortage of medicines required for treatment of black fungus which is primarily affecting people who are recovering from Covid-19.

Local health experts said compared with the first Covid wave there has been more cases of black fungus reported during the second wave.

According to health experts, it spreads through the nose and affects other parts of the body such as the eyes. People with diabetes are said to be more prone to the infection.