The Niti Aayog has asked the Central government to prepare 2 lakh ICU beds in view of the possible third wave of the Covid-19.
Niti Aayog head member VK Paul said in the upcoming surge of COVID-19, there will be 23 percent hospitalizations.
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The statement comes after India witnessed a devastating second wave of COVID-19, which peaked in April and May, touching over 3 lakh infections on some days.
VK Paul, who is also heading the COVID-19 task force of the central government, warned that in September, India can witness a staggering 4-5 lakh coronavirus infections daily.
The estimate by the Niti Aayog is higher than their projection made in September 2020 before the COVID-19 second wave, when the group said that nearly 20 percent of infected patients with ‘severe/moderate’ symptoms would require hospitalization, media reports said.
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This recommendation to keep 2 lakh ICU beds ready is based on the pattern of hospitalization seen from the second wave, in April-June this year.
According to a report, during the peak, on June 1, the active caseload of COVID was 18 lakh, in 10 states with maximum cases, 21.74 percent of total infected patients required hospitalization while 2.2% were in ICU.
The Niti Aayog has suggested the government be ready for worse and keep 2 lakh ICU beds, 1.2 lakh ICU beds with ventilators, 7 lakh non-ICU hospital beds (of them 5 lakh oxygen-enabled), and 10 lakh COVID isolation care beds ready by next month.