DRDO to reopen facility for Covid patients in Delhi today

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 18

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has decided to reopen a medical facility near the Delhi airport to treat Covid-19 patients, officials said on Saturday.

They said the facility was expected to be made operational with 250 beds by Monday. Meanwhile, the armed forces have revisited the protocols for quarantining their own troops while the medical wings of the three forces have stepped up efforts to provide Covid-related facilities that can be used by the civilian authorities.

The protocols for quarantining have been revisited and all troops returning to their units after leave or temporary duty elsewhere will be required to undergo 14-day quarantine.

The forces are doing hundreds of RT-PCR tests every day to determine the prevalence of the virus among their troops. Ex-servicemen are also being tested and being provided facilities.

Also, the three forces will once again be providing beds and facilities to civilians. The DRDO’s facility will have 500 beds eventually. Doctors and equipment like oxygen will be provided by the armed forces.

The forces will open their facilities for civilians in certain states, including Maharashtra and Gujarat.

When the virus had spread in February last year, the forces had created quarantine facilities for people returning from abroad. Meanwhile, the vaccination drive has been stepped up in the three armed forces – with a collective strength of all more than 16 lakh. Everyone will be vaccinated, irrespective of age of the person.

Hundreds of RT-PCR tests every day

• Doctors and equipment like oxygen will be provided by the armed forces.
• The forces will open their facilities for civilians in certain states, including Maharashtra and Gujarat.
• The DRDO;’s facility will start with 250 beds and will go up to 500 beds in the next few days.
• The forces are doing a hundred RT-PCR tests every day to determine prevalence of the virus among their troops. Ex-servicemen are also being tested.

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