GUWAHATI, June 27 - Faced with a surge in COVID-19 cases, particularly in Guwahati, the State health department is converting the quarantine centre at Patanjali Yogpeeth, Mirza into a 250-bedded hospital, even as 567 patients were discharged on Saturday.
The number of hospital beds in the city is 890 and the government is coming up with an 800-bedded makeshift hospital at the Khanapara field to treat asymptomatic patients.
Around 250 positive cases are being detected each day in the State, a majority of them in Guwahati. Yesterday, 203 cases were detected in Guwahati alone, taking to city�s COVID-19 count to nearly 1,000 and the government is wary about a likely shortage of hospital beds in near future.
Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today visited the Mirza facility where the temporary hospital is coming up and reviewed the arrangements. He said a testing lab is also coming up at MMCH. �In order to increase treatment capacity, we need to upgrade our available resources and infrastructure. The lab shall be functional soon,� he said.
Meanwhile, Governor Jagdish Mukhi has appealed to all sections of the people of Kamrup (Metro) to abide by the lockdown protocols as the district, including Guwahati city, is going into a total lockdown from June 28.
City police commissioner MP Gupta said during the lockdown only two categories of people will be allowed to enter Guwahati � those coming to board trains or flights and people with health emergencies.
