Chattogram prepares hospitals amid rise in Covid cases

Two hospitals in Chattogram city have been designated for Covid-19 treatment following the detection of new sub-variants of the coronavirus and a recent rise in infections.

Chattogram General Hospital and Memon Hospital-2, operated by the Chattogram City Corporation, will treat Covid patients. Additionally, a separate ward is being prepared at Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH).

These decisions were made at an emergency preparatory meeting held today (11 June) at the City Corporation's conference room in Tigerpass. The meeting was chaired by City Mayor Shahadat Hossain and attended by officials from the health department and CMCH.

Following the meeting, officials confirmed that three Covid-19 patients have been identified in Chattogram—marking the first reported cases in the district this year. However, the Civil Surgeon's Office could not confirm the date when the last previous case had been recorded.

Mayor Shahadat Hossain said that four RT-PCR labs will conduct Covid testing: CMCH, Chattogram University, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, and the Bangladesh Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases in Fouzdarhat.

The city corporation will also launch a new service centre to provide public information on the virus.

"There is nothing to fear. Doctors and health workers are more experienced now. Preparations are based on our earlier experience, and the situation will be managed as it was before," the mayor said.

The mayor added that authorities are checking for any shortage of equipment or staff in the designated hospitals. If needed, doctors and nurses from upazila health complexes will be deployed. The divisional health director has been tasked with appointing the required manpower.

Brigadier General Mohammad Taslim Uddin, director of CMCH, said the hospital is converting its dengue ward back into a Covid-19 ward, which will offer 50 general beds and 10 ICU beds.

"We have already requested 5,000 testing kits, which should arrive within a day or two. Arrangements are being made to bring in health assistants from upazilas for sample collection," he said.

Chattogram District Civil Surgeon Dr Jahangir Alam said that 80,000 Covid-19 vaccines are currently in stock, with distribution to upazilas underway.

Akram Hossain, superintendent of Chattogram General Hospital, stated that the hospital has 15 general beds and 5 ICU beds for Covid-19 patients.

"Full oxygen support is available, and any equipment issues will be resolved quickly," he said.

Divisional Health Director Aung Swi Prue Marma and Chief Health Officer of the City Corporation Md Imam Hossain were also present at the meeting.