With 892 new cases and nine hospitalisations, the third wave is threatening to swamp the health infrastructure in the state but this time hopefully we are better prepared to cope. As per the government, 4,000 beds are ready for Covid patients in addition to 830 in the super speciality block at GMC which has been exclusively designated for the Covid affected. Presently admissions shall be at GMC and once 50% bed capacity is reached both district hospitals shall begin taking inpatients.The ESI hospital in Margao shall kick in once district hospitals hit 50% occupancy.Besides the state has now installed 8 medical oxygen plants for the battle against serious infections ; an ICU consultant has also been engaged full time to assist with severe cases. The government will be well advised to speedily recruit doctors and nurses even if on a contractual basis. The silver lining is that 95% of the eligible adult population have taken both the doses. Conceivably the health department has also learnt its lessons from the criminal mismanagement (those horrific 2am-5am deaths due to lack of oxygen ) witnessed during the second wave and hope the mistakes won't be repeated this time around.
