K-P records big spike in Covid-19 infections

Ajmal Wazir says no shortage of beds in public hospitals

PESHAWAR: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) recorded the most coronavirus cases in a single day on Saturday as the virus infected 473 more people in the province taking the tally to 9,540.

The K-P Health Department in its daily communique said that out of the new cases, 13 were reported from Torkham and 74 from international flights centre.

It said eight more people died of Covid-19 out of which four were from Peshawar, one each from Charsadda, Swat, Buner and Abbottabad taking total to 453. At least 78 Covid-19 patients recovered taking total to 2,809 in the province.

The statement while explaining the beds capacity of K-P hospitals for Covid-19 patients, said that in Peshawar, 58 per cent of critical care beds, 52 per cent of ventilators and 37 per cent of isolation beds have been dedicated only for Covid-19 patients have been occupied till now. The department is constantly monitoring capacity data for the entire province especially the provincial capital, and working aggressively to increase capacity where required, it added.

Meanwhile, Adviser to K-P CM on Information and Public Relations Ajmal Wazir on Saturday said that the public sector hospitals in the province have the required capacity of beds for the coronavirus (Covid-19) patients, however, people must follow the guidelines meant to curb the virus to decrease pressure on the government hospitals.

Elaborating the capacity of major public teaching hospitals, Wazir said that the Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) has a total of 1,800 beds and 63 ventilators out of which a  total of  105 beds and 25 ventilators are reserved for coronavirus patients where only 33 beds have been occupied by Covid-19 patients while 20 patients were on ventilators.

He stated that 1,300 bed Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH) having 56 ventilators, the administration has reserved 55 beds and 25 ventilators for Covid-19 patients where only 50 and two ventilators were being used by the virus patients at the moment.

Similarly, the advisor informed, 1, 250 bedded Hayatabad Medical Complex also having 52 ventilators, has reserved 25 ventilators and 128 beds for coronavirus patients.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 31^st, 2020.