Ahmedabad Civil Hospital has kept 500 Covid beds on backup with arrangement to increase; while markets are clamoring with Diwali customers, Gujarat government says the third wave activity plan is prepared
Even as Diwali approaches in another week, the memories of last Diwali that had huge crowds thronging markets and triggering a new wave of infections, stands forgotten by citizens.
On Tuesday, We found bazaars across the city teeming with Diwali shoppers.
As Covid complacency sets in, with masks dropping below the chin and into the pockets, not to mention the pending second doses, warning bells have begun to ring across the health sector.
With the precedent of West Bengal at hand, which saw a rapid rise in Covid-19 cases after Durga Puja from October 10 to 20 this year, there are apprehensions of a Diwali 2020 redux if timely measures are not taken by the people and the government.
In anticipation of a repeat of last year’s incident, the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital has kept 500 beds ready for Covid cases in spite of large-scale vaccination.
In-charge Medical Superintendent Dr Rakesh Joshi said, “Although we have moved the paediatrics ward back to the 1,200-bed Women and Child Super-speciality Hospital, we have kept 200 beds vacant anticipating more cases though we hope that doesn’t happen.”
Dr Joshi added, “Further, we have another 300 beds ready in the hospital as well, making it a total of 500 Covid beds. In the worst-case scenario, like we did during the second wave in April, we can transfer the paediatrics ward back to the main building and isolate the 1,200-bed building for Covid patients.”
Notably, Covid cases in Gujarat continued to remain in the lower double digits due to government restrictions on Navratri this October. However, doctors have warned against complacency, saying the pandemic is not yet over.
Critical Care Intensivist and Gujarat Covid Task Force Member Dr Tushar Patel said, “Though only a few, there still are cases in Gujarat. Even if you are vaccinated, distancing and mask etiquette should be adhered to. I have a patient right now who is fully immunised and still got a breakthrough infection. He has severe pneumonia and is now on oxygen. We cannot let our guard down.”
Mirror spoke to Manoj Aggarwal, Additional Chief Secretary of Health, on preparations in the state. He said, “While we expect people to be vigilant and follow protocols, we are keeping a close watch on the number of Covid cases as well as daily testing figures. God forbid, if there is a spurt, we will take necessary action.”
“We had already prepared for the third wave, the same has been put into action,” added Aggarwal.
State of vaccination
Asked about the vaccination campaign and the complacency regarding the second dose, ACS Aggarwal said, “There is no problem as such but the unvaccinated, especially those yet to take their second jab, are on our radar. We need to increase our efforts to speed up the second dose and are taking the help of various NGOs as well as AHNA and AMA to ensure a faster pace.”
Notably, the Union Health Minister held a meeting with ministers of all states on the issue of second dose vaccination on Tuesday evening.
Till 7 pm on October 26, while 4.45 crore (4,45,16,027) people in Gujarat had taken their first dose of the Covid vaccine, 2.48 crore (2,48,12,241) had received their second dose. In Ahmedabad, 46,58,574 people have received their first dose and 25,47,017 have received their second dose.
Till October 18, about 38 lakh people pending for the second dose were yet to receive it, confirmed State Immunization Officer Dr Nayan Jani.
International travellers and AY 4.2
The state is also keeping an eye on international travellers coming from countries with high Covid cases.
Dr Dileep Mavalankar, Director of IIPH Gandhinagar and also a Covid Task Force Member, said, “We need to be very careful now, especially with the AY 4.2 lineage of Delta variant increasing in percentage in the UK. If a new variant shows up here, we won’t even know about it until a week.”
Dr Mavalankar added, “We need to conduct antibody tests of all new Covid patients to study waning antibody effects. One of the studies could be on the initial cohort of 200 doctors who were vaccinated on the very first day, January 16, 2021