Questions are being raised about the preparedness of hospitals across India to tackle COVID-19 pandemic after a number of cases of doctors and healthcare workers testing positive for the virus have come to the fore.
In Mumbai alone, in the past two weeks, at least 90 doctors and medical workers have tested positive for coronavirus and eight private super speciality hospitals, having 1,500 beds, have been sealed.
As per reports, over 200 healthcare workers (including doctors and nurses) across the country have tested positive for coronavirus and so far12 private hospitals have also been sealed.
In several places across the country, healthcare workers have been repeatedly complaining about inadequate masks, gloves and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Doctors and nurses from several major private hospitals in Mumbai like Saifee, Jaslok, Breach Candy, Wockhardt and Shushrusha Hospital have tested positive for COVID-19 and they have refused to take new admissions.
To tackle the situation, the government has decided to seal these hospitals for 14 days, which, however, the doctors say is not a “good idea” in this crisis situation.
It was further reported that at least 50 healthcare workers in Rajasthan tested positive for COVID-19 and a number of hospitals have also been sealed.
Doctors and nurses tested positive for coronavirus in Delhi as well and the Delhi State Cancer Institute was also sealed as its healthcare workers tested positive for the virus.
Doctors and nurses have also tested positive for COVID-19 in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and a number of other states and cities.