Pune: A task force will be ready to deal the second wave of COVID-19

Pune: Pune district is witnessing the decrease in the active cases of novel coronavirus as well as the mortality rate has come down.

The second wave of the COVID-19 which has grappled the western part of the world may mark its impact in India in December. In order to deal with the possible COVID-19 wave in the Pune district, Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Rao has asserted that the district administration is ready to deal the situation. A task force will be ready to deal with second wave of COVID-19 in the district in the future, Saurabh Rao said on Tuesday.

Pune District Collector Dr Rajesh Deshmukh, Pune Municipal Commissioner Vikram Kumar and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Commissioner Shravan Hardikar were addressing the press via video conference.

Saurabh Rao informed, "My Family, My Responsibility campaign was implemented effectively in Pune district. The campaign has helped to reduce the load of active cases. The positivity rate has also dropped down from 17 per cent to 15 per cent. Also, the mortality rate has come down.”

The number of COVID-19 cases has decreased in the remaining four districts of Pune division but plans have been made for the availability of oxygen beds in the future. Also, private hospitals will be acquired again. To control the rapid spread of the virus, preventive measures will be taken and contract tracing will be given more importance to prevent the spread.

BEDS TO BE RELEASED FROM PRIVATE HOSPITALS

The district, including the city, is expected to have a bed capacity of 8,000 as per the guidelines. Private hospital beds will be released in phases. There were 23 COVID Care Centers in the district of these 18 are closed temporarily. A total of 1,800 oxygen-deprived beds have been released from private hospitals acquired by the administration. Super specialty hospitals are also allowed to admit patients other than corona.

Also the beds reserved at city based hospitals such as Ruby Hall and Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital will be reduced. However, this will be allowed on the condition that the beds will be increased as per the situation in the future.