Deepali Kalia
The Karnataka High Court directed the state government to come out with an action plan and vision statement regarding their preparation to deal with a possible third wave of COVID-19.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Aravind Kumar said: “Though during the last few days we have dealt with immediate measures to deal with the enormous challenge posed by Covid-19, it is high time that the state government starts preparation for dealing with the third wave. By projecting estimates of the requirement of beds/drugs, oxygen, medical personnel etc. We direct the state to prepare an action plan and vision statement dealing with the state of preparedness for dealing with the third possible wave of Covid-19.”
The directions came when the court was informed by the state government about the availability of a total of 45,754 beds supported by oxygen in the state.
The court was further informed about the availability of 5305 ICU beds and 4109 beds with ventilators when the requirement projected by the central government was of 66,333 oxygen supported beds, 13969 ICU beds and 8332 ventilator beds.
“Thus it can be said that there is a huge shortage of beds at the state level” The bench observed.
The bench in addition also observed the fact that as of 2.45 pm today, in the areas falling under BBMP( Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, fourth largest municipal corporation in India) 49 HDU beds, 16 ICU beds, 7 ICU beds with ventilators were available.
“Thus the situation in Bengaluru regarding availability of beds continues to be critical especially when over 15,000 cases are reported every day in the city.” The court said.
In addition the court further directed the state government that a detailed chart informing the people of availability of beds in each district with estimated requirement of beds in each district be placed on record.