NBMCH wakes up to possible Covid - 19 comeback: During the previous three Covid waves, the NBMCH had prepared units with around 242 beds at Covid blocks-I and II

SNS, SILIGURI, 26 DECEMBER 2022: The North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) is reinstating its Covid- 19 treatment infrastructure. A drill to review the emergency response will be conducted there tomorrow, it is learnt. 

The number of Covid beds had been brought down at the NBMCH following a sharp fall in the cases in the past several months. During the previous three Covid waves, the NBMCH had prepared units with around 242 beds at Covid blocks-I and II. 

According to NBMCH superintendent Dr Sanjay Mallik, their arrangements had been in place. "We are in a position to rearrange the infrastructure. Step by step, we will ready the units-first the Covid block-I, then Covid block-II. The arrangements will be reviewed tomorrow as part of a mock drill to ensure operational readiness,"  Mr Mallik said. 

Sources said focus will be laid on the critical support, oxygen support, manpower and others. The Centre has asked states to increase surveillance, ramp up testing infrastructure, encourage precautional, dose uptake and ensure adherence to Covid appropriate behaviour. 

At present, a three-year- old boy of Ward 45 is currently admitted to the isolation ward of the paediatric department of the NBMCH.

His sample will be sent for genome sequencing," Dr Mallik said. In a communiqué to the state governments, the Union health ministry has asked them to conduct genome sequencing of fresh cases to track the variant in view of the sudden spurt in Covid cases in some countries. 

The ministry has also advised people to mask up. Meanwhile, the dates of the Covid vaccines. at the NBMCH expired on 23 December, it is learnt. "There has been hardly any taker of vaccines in the last few months and as a result the vaccines have expired. Now we are getting queries from people for vaccines," Dr Mallik said.