Spike in Covid cases prompts PGI, GMCH-32 to keep reserve staff

Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 27

In the past three days, as many as seven health workers have tested positive for Covid, raising questions over protocols followed by hospitals and pressing upon the need to alter them. This has prompted the hospital administration to keep a reserve force of health workers.

Of the seven health workers, who tested Covid positive, six are from the GMCH-32, and one from the PGIMER.

When asked about the source of infection in non-Covid areas, Dr BS Chavan, Director Principal, GMCH-32, said, “The first case from Bapu Dham Colony, who is also the GMCH staff, was working in the operation theatre (OT). Subsequent contacts from the GMCH were also working with him in the surgical and orthopaedic OT.”

“Two doctors are from anaesthesia, who were also working with them in the OT. The primary source of infection is either ward attendant himself or Bapu Dham Colony,” he added.

The PGIMER Director, Dr Jagat Ram, said, “We have deliberated upon the need to test patients coming to the OT. Patients coming from other states should be tested locally so that emergency cases can be handled promptly. There is a medical and surgical committee that will decide on these issues.”

“We are keeping reserved force of doctors as many have chosen quarantine facility,” Dr Jagat Ram added.

Dr BS Chavan said, “Identifying asymptomatic cases is a major challenge. I have told my doctors that they should treat every person coming to hospital as Covid case.”

“We are keeping the hospital staff reserved as many doctors are going under quarantine. Due to this the manpower is also reducing,” Dr Chavan added.

Governor to meet officials

UT Adviser Manoj Parida said, “We are arranging a special screening of all health workers directly involved in corona treatment. Governor will hold meeting with three heads of medical institutions, health secretary, Adviser, DC and Municipal Commissioner tomorrow to discuss safety norms on hospital premises.”

Can activate more labs for testing

The PGI Director, Dr Jagat Ram, said “We can activate more laboratories for Covid testing at the PGIMER if we get kits from the ICMR. We have laboratory in microbiology, immunology and parasitology. The screening or testing of patients visiting the hospital can thus be successful.”

Docs want PPE kits in ICU, OT

“How to safeguard our health workers is a major challenge. Resident doctors want PPE kits in non-Covid areas like emergencies, ICU and OT. Cases coming from containment zones should be tested so that the risk is minimised. Doctors who touched surface where Covid case was reported are being tested,” said Dr Chavan.