The data shows that the number of beds in Delhi’s hospitals has increased over the past two days – a sign of slow growth in hospitalisations.
As on January 5, out of 12,025 Covid beds, 945 were occupied. Of these, 11,405 were oxygen hospital beds and 921 of them were occupied. Of the 3,303 ICU beds, 187 were occupied. In addition, 65 of the 1,523 ICU beds with ventilators were occupied.
Exactly a day later, it looked like the numbers had gone up a bit. On 6 January, 1,125 COVID beds were occupied, 1,099 oxygen beds were filled and 213 COVID ICU beds were occupied. Even the number of those on ventilators rose to 72.
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Dr. Vivek Nangia, head of pulmonology, Max Saket, said, “The pace of hospitalization is very slow at the moment, but our facility has enough capacity. So there is no need to panic.”
Another doctor from Delhi said that although the number of hospitalizations has increased compared to November-December, it is not worrying.
,If we compare the hospitalizations from November-December last year, yes, they have increased… for a long time, we had zero admissions… but they are not worrisome. The sudden positivity shows that community spread has started in Delhi,” said Dr Sahar Qureshi, Medical Superintendent, Max Smart.
‘Casual positive’ cases in Delhi hospital
Doctors said they are seeing “casual positive” cases – meaning people who come for planned surgery or treatment are testing positive after preliminary screening inside hospitals.
DR Vivek Nangia said, “I have people who have been admitted to the hospital” incidentally positive. These are the people who came in for the planned surgery and were then tested positive… they will have to wait to recover.”
Read also | Over 100 healthcare workers test positive for Covid-19 in Delhi government hospitals
In Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, 40 covids were admitted in the last one week. Thirteen of these were health workers.
“We are experiencing a third wave. Hospitalizations are happening and we also have 13 healthcare workers admitted. But they are not dependent on the support of hospitals. However, people with comorbid conditions need to be more careful, Dr. Atul Gogia, Senior Consultant, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
What was the situation during the second wave?
When the second wave began in the city in April 2021, the percentage of hospitalizations was high. As on April 1 last year, the active caseload stood at 10,048 and the daily cases stood at 2,790 – 1,971 beds were occupied, 1,709 needed oxygen support, 747 needed ICU beds and 231 ventilators.
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Similarly, on April 2, when the active caseload stood at 11,994, 2,255 patients were hospitalised, 1,956 needed oxygen support, while 808 were in ICU and 249 were on ventilator support.
A suspected Covid-19 positive patient is undergoing treatment at the hospital. (Image: PTI)
At present, more than 14,000 people are in home isolation in Delhi. But once the elderly start getting infected, the impact on health systems can be seen.
The impact on the health care system is anticipated, even as the elderly and people with comorbidities are not recommended for home isolation as per the central government guidelines.
“As matters progress, we do not know how the situation will be if [Covid-19 starts affecting] Elderly and comrades,” said Dr. Vivek Nangia, Head of Pulmonology, Max Saket.
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Delhi government improving health infrastructure
On Thursday, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said that the hospital bed stay during the third wave and the severity of the infection is very low.
He said that the government is preparing keeping in mind the worst-case scenario. He said the number of beds has been increased from 9,000 to over 12,000.
Satyendar Jain said the discrepancy in hospital bed occupancy figures on the Delhi Corona App and the health bulletin is because “majority of beds in hospitals have been converted into oxygenated beds”.
Satyendar Jain said, “If there are patients on such beds, it does not mean that they need oxygen. Similarly, if a patient is on a ventilator bed, it does not mean that they need ventilator support. “