Bengaluru: As the nation fights coronavirus pandemic, it is heartening to note that the country’s biggest COVID Care Centre, with 10,100 beds, will open next week at Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) on Tumakuru Road, Karnataka. This announcement was made by none other than chief minister BS Yediyurappa himself. 

The CM paid a visit to the centre at Bengaluru’s BIEC and inspected the facilities there.

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He said that this pandemic will stay for some more months and expressed confidence that the state government is geared to tackle it.

“The state government is making all efforts to contain the rapid surge of cases of COVID-19 in Bengaluru. I have visited the COVID care centre established at the Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre and inspected the facilities. The COVID care centre will have a capacity of 10,100 beds and has all necessary facilities,” he said while interacting with media persons.

 

“For every 100 patients, one doctor, two nurses, one support staff, one housekeeping staff and two BBMP marshals will be deployed. 2,200 staff including doctors, nurses, support staff, housekeeping staff, BBMP marshals and police will be deputed. The patients will be provided with good quality food. Recreation facilities such as TV, carrom boards, chess boards etc are also being provided,” he added.

 

 

The chief minister said that safety kits for the staff who are involved in patients’ care and monitoring, emergency treatment facilities, ICU, ECG, oxygen support, first aid and pharmacy facilities will be provided.

“In addition, a control room will be established to monitor them 24 hours and this centre will have tie up with nearby hospitals. Laundry facility will be provided to wash the blankets and bedsheets of the patients. Segregation and disposal of waste will be done systematically. The centre will take care of people who are asymptomatic and persons who are mildly infected. This system is established to enhance the availability of beds and treatment in hospitals for those who are in critical condition,” he said.

Yediyurappa said that the number of coronavirus cases in the state increased since the beginning of the unlock process and underlined that the state government is taking all measures to combat the disease.

“We have rectified all the loopholes immediately, as and when they are brought to our notice. The centralized bed allocation system is already in place and helpline is also established. People must not lose hope and I appeal to the citizens to co-operate with us. If there is a delay in the arrival of the ambulance as soon as the reports confirm the disease or if there is denial to admit the patients to the hospitals, please bring it to our notice and action will be taken,” he said.

The chief minister and his Cabinet ministers, deputy chief minister Dr Ashwath Narayan, home minister Basavaraj Bommai, health minister B Sriramulu, medical education minister Dr Sudhakar and revenue minister R Ashoka, along with senior officers, visited BIEC and inspected the facilities.