A sudden surge in Covid-19 cases in Darjeeling district, particularly in Siliguri sub-division, and in the Dooars has prompted the administration to increase beds for Covid patients in the district.
According to sources in the administration, it has been decided that around 500 new beds would be readied in Siliguri and in the hills within a week.
“It has been decided to allot 65 beds at the Darjeeling district hospital and 18 beds at the Kurseong sub-divisional hospital for Covid patients. Also, 30 more beds will be added at the Covid hospital in Triveni near Kalimpong,” said an official of the state health department.
At present, there are 345 beds at the Darjeeling hospital, 120 beds at the Kurseong sub-divisional hospital and 150 beds at the facility in Triveni.
In another development, authorities of 22 private nursing homes in Siliguri have assured the district health department that they will provide extra beds for Covid patients within a week.
“In total, there are 136 beds in 22 nursing homes across Siliguri. The authorities of these clinics have assured that they will increase the total capacity to 443 beds,” said state tourism minister Gautam Deb.
He mentioned that the indoor stadium of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation will be handed over to the chief medical officer of health, Darjeeling, on Wednesday where 70 beds would be kept ready — six of which will have oxygen supply.
A similar healthcare facility, operational at Hatighisa in Naxalbari block, will also be upgraded, said Deb.
“We will soon set up a second safe home in Siliguri. The district administration is planning to convert some government guesthouses as safe homes for treatment of Covid patients,” he added.
The minister informed that two helplines — 8016277748 and 9883206017 — to extend support to Covid patients and their families will be launched tomorrow.
“The helplines will be operational from 8am to 8pm. Family members of patients can seek guidance and help through the helplines and also call for ambulance and other services,” said Deb.
