Home isolation: BBMP supplied 55,000 medical kits

Y MAHESWARA REDDY | NT

Bengaluru: To support people in home isolation, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) authorities have made arrangements to supply medical kits for those who tested positive at their doorsteps.

“We have already supplied 55,000 medical kits to those in home isolation. We have made arrangements to procure 90,000 medical kits that consist of basic medicines excluding antibiotics. There is no need for Covid patients to take antibiotics. As of now not many emergencies are reported and there is no shortage of medicines,’’ said BBMP Chief Commissioner Gaurav Gupta.

The BBMP Chief Commissioner has advised the public not to depend on medical kits available at medical stores as these are not a substitute for the RT-PCR test. “My advice to those who use such equipment is to opt for the RT-PCR test which is being conducted at all BBMP primary health centers free of cost. As of now, we are conducting one lakh RT-PCR tests per day,’’ he said.

Appealing to the public not to get panicky over the surge in the number of people tested positive for coronavirus, he said that the majority of people testing positive do not require hospitalization. “As of now, there are 1600 patients at private hospitals availing treatment for coronavirus. Among them, the BBMP and the state government have suggested hospitalization for only 600 patients. Others have got admitted to private hospitals on their own and are spending their own money,’’ he said.

The Chief Commissioner has said that the duration of home isolation has been reduced to seven days from 10 days. “People who suffer from fever, cough and other symptoms have to have an RT-PCR test and isolate themselves till they get the result. It will prevent the virus from spreading to others. I want to make it clear that all symptoms are not Covid symptoms,’’ he said.

According to him, the BBMP has made arrangements at ward level to treat people who have tested positive for Covid. “Triaging facilities have been made in all wards not only to treat people but also advise hospitalization if it is required. The BBMP has opened war rooms in all zones and triage centers in each of the 198 wards and control rooms in at Assembly constituencies in the city,’’ he said.

The BBMP Chief Commissioner has appealed to the public to wear face masks to prevent the spread of the virus. “We have created awareness on the importance of wearing face masks,’’ he said.