Gandhi sees spike in suspected Covid-19 cases as Fever Hospital turns empty

Hyderabad: The coronavirus (Covid-19) isolation ward in Fever Hospital, Nallakunta is wearing a deserted look with no single admission for more than a week now. However, all admissions of suspected cases with travel history to China are being referred to Gandhi Hospital in recent times.

It is evident that people are giving first preference to Gandhi Hospital. The reason, it is learnt, is because of sample testing facilities in Gandhi Hospital.

With wide publicity in various media for the last one month, people have got to know that three hospitals- Fever, Gandhi and Chest have been authorised for coronavirus cases in Telangana and sample testing would be done at virology lab in Gandhi Hospital without the need of sending them to NIV lab in Pune which was the case initially.

Hence, people who have come from China and other Asian countries are flocking to Gandhi Hospital.

Those without symptoms are being counselled to stay in isolation and be in touch with authorities while those having related symptoms like any of fever, cold and cough or travel history to Wuhan are being admitted in the hospital isolation ward after which samples are taken and sent to the lab for testing.

Initially, all such cases were admitted in Fever Hospital when samples were sent to NIV, Pune. But after sample testing started in Gandhi Hospital things changed and admissions are taking place only in Gandhi. Although admissions in isolation ward stopped, Fever Hospital is doing its bit on coronavirus treatment.

The help desk set up at the hospital is being visited by relatives of China returnees, who are consulting medical experts and clarifying their doubts and concerns on it.

It may be noted that authorities have earmarked 40 beds each in Fever and Gandhi hospitals and another 20 in Chest hospital for admission and treatment of coronavirus cases, both suspected and positive.