By Deepak Gyawali, Butwal, May 14: With increase in number of COVID-19 cases on daily basis, State 5 has started looking for alternatives for treatment and management of COVID-19 patients.

According to Sudarsan Baral, State Minister for Social Development, the preparations to increase the beddings of Butwal-based Corona Special Hospital to 200 is underway.

Likewise, beds in Banke's Corona Hospital are also to be increased and treatment of COVID-19 patients would start in Dang and Beljhundi's Corona Special hospital.

COVID-19 patients of Dang and districts in the west of State-5 would be treated in Dang hospital and districts in the east of Dang would be treated at Rupandehi, informed minister Baral.

As the chances of increasing the number of the COVID-19 patients more than the capacity of the hospitals have increased, State 5 has started mobilising other hospitals of the state for treatment of COVID-19 patients.

Patients of Bhim hospital of Bhairahawa have been shifted to Bhairahawa Medical College. Now Bhim hospital will also start treating COVID-19 patients.

The State 5 COVID-19 Crisis Management Center has already decided to use the Army and Police hospital of Nepalgunj for treating the COVID-19 patients if the need be.  

Currently, 26 COVID-19 patients are receiving treatment at Butwal-based Corona Special Hospital, 26 of Banke and Bardiya are in Nepalgunj.

68 patients of Rupandehi, Kapilvastu and Nawalparasi west are being managed in Rupandehi.

And 23 patents are being admitted to Bhim Hospital, Bhairahawa.

Until now, 94 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in State 5. PCR test report of 649 suspects out of 4,120 is yet to come.