Patna: Patna is once again witnessing a rise in Covid-19 cases, with two fresh infections reported on Wednesday, taking the district’s active caseload to 11. The new cases were detected in Kankarbagh and Bajrangpuri areas, according to the district’s civil surgeon, Dr Avinash Kumar Singh. While four patients are currently hospitalised, the remaining seven are under home isolation with health authorities keeping close watch on their condition.
Amid the spike, the administration is clamping down on unauthorised Covid treatment by private hospitals. Only 92 private hospitals in Patna district have been granted permission to treat coronavirus patients. Dr Singh warned that any facility operating outside this list will face action. “We will soon issue an official order. During previous Covid waves, several hospitals charged exorbitantly for treatment. This regulation is to ensure patients aren’t exploited again,” he said.
The two latest cases were confirmed through testing at a private lab, which has forwarded the results to the health department. Meanwhile, the Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) tested samples from 16 patients on Wednesday, none of which returned positive results. Dr Sanjay Kumar, head of NMCH’s Microbiology Department, said testing will be expanded, particularly for patients who have recently undergone surgery.
NMCH is also preparing for a potential surge. A separate 100-bed ward has been set up in the Medicine Department’s pre-fabricated hospital to handle any influx of Covid patients. Although currently unoccupied, the ward is ready to admit cases as they arise. The hospital has an RTPCR testing facility in place, with designated nodal officers overseeing operations. If case numbers increase, staff rosters will be adjusted, and non-essential leave for nursing staff will be restricted, officials said.
